Private security services
Private security companies are now an integral part of the international security landscape. Their services are used by state, international and private actors in a variety of contexts, which leads to increased political, media and public attention – not least because of the risks that are associated with providing this type of service.
Cantonal level – regulation of private security services within Switzerland
The conditions under which private security service providers may operate on Swiss territory are determined at cantonal or intercantonal level. The French-speaking cantons of Switzerland have had a common regulation in place since 1996 in the form of an agreement on security companies (the 'Concordat sur les entreprises de sécurité'). In the German-speaking cantons, efforts to adopt the concordat on private security services (KÜPS) failed in 2017. Attempts to introduce national regulations on the provision of private security services in Switzerland have also been unsuccessful so far.
Concordat of 18 October 1996 on security companies (de)
National level – regulation of private security services by Swiss providers abroad
The provision of private security services abroad by natural and legal persons based in Switzerland has been regulated by the Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad (PSSA) since 2015.
The PSSA aims to:
- guarantee Switzerland's internal and external security;
- realise Switzerland's foreign policy objectives;
- preserve Swiss neutrality; and
- ensure compliance with international law, in particular human rights and international humanitarian law.
The FDFA State Secretariat is responsible for the PSSA. The Export Controls and Private Security Services Section (ECPS) within the International Security Division is responsible for the operational implementation of the law. Within the Federal Administration, the ECPS acts as a centre of competence for private military and security companies (PMSCs), maintains contact with the relevant authorities at cantonal and intercantonal level, keeps communication open with the sector and makes information available to the public. In addition, the ECPS publishes an annual activity report.
Federal Act on Private Security Services Provided Abroad
International level – regulation through global standards
At the international level, Switzerland played a key role in the development of two initiatives aimed at promoting respect for human rights and international humanitarian law by private military and security companies: the Montreux Document of 17 September 2008 and the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers launched on 9 November 2010. Switzerland has also been a member of the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights initiative since September 2011. The ECPS participates in the international dialogue on national standards for private military and security companies. These discussions are taking place within various international organisations and bodies, including the OSCE and the UN – in particular within the framework of the Human Rights Council's Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on PMSCs.
International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers' Association, ICoCA
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights
UN Open-ended Intergovernmental Working Group on Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs)