The ICoC and contracts with private security providers

The International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC) explicitly states that member companies ‘…will not knowingly enter into contracts where performance would directly and materially conflict with the principles of this Code, applicable national or international law, or applicable local, regional and international human rights law, and are not excused by any contractual obligation from complying with this Code’. International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers, par. 20. Companies that agree to comply with the Code can join the International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA).

Contracting companies should bear in mind that demanding very low-priced bids for the required services may exclude private security providers which are compliant with the ICoC or members of ICoCA. These security providers may refrain from participating in the bidding in the first place if the remuneration is not sufficient to comply with their standards. The selection of a potential contractor should not be based on the ‘lowest price’ criteria. Relying solely on the lowest price can also be harmful to a client’s reputation and can lead to lower standards across the industry.