Alexandria, Va. – The ANSI standard, Management System for Quality of Private Security Company Operations – Requirements with Guidance (ANSI/ASIS PSC.1-2012), has been adopted for use in the United Kingdom.

Published in March 2012 [1], the PSC.1 standard establishes an auditable mechanism for Private Security Service Providers to provide demonstrable commitment, conformance, and accountability to the principles outlined in the International Code of Conduct [2] (ICoC) for Private Security Service Providers and best practices of the Montreux Document.

Private Security Service Providers including Private Security Companies (collectively “PSCs”) play an important role in protecting state and non-state clients engaged in relief, recovery, and reconstruction efforts [3]; commercial business operations; diplomacy; and military activity. The purpose of this standard is to improve and demonstrate consistent and predictable quality of services provided by PSCs while maintaining the safety and security of their operations and clients within a framework that aims to ensure respect for human rights, national and international laws, and fundamental freedoms.

“The Government aims to raise the global standards of private security companies [4] working in complex and high risk environments overseas,” wrote Mark Simmons, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. “To this end, we have been working closely with interested partners, including industry and civil society, to establish a voluntary, independently audited and internationally recognised regulatory system that is practicable, effective, and affordable. We now intend to issue an HMG publication specifying that ASIS PSC 1-2012 is the applicable standard for UK-based PSCs working in complex environments on land overseas.”

“PSCs need to conduct their business and provide services in a manner that respects human rights and laws,” says Dr. Marc Siegel, commissioner, ASIS International Global Standards Initiative and chairman of the Technical Committee. “It behooves any client from either the public or private sectors to follow the lead of the US and UK governments and use the PSC.1 standard in their contracting process for their use of PSCs operating on land in complex environments overseas.”

ASIS continues to develop the series of standards in support of the ICoC and Montreux Document with upcoming standards for a maturity model for the phased implementation of the PSC.1 and guidance on using the ANSI/ASIS.PSC.1 for maritime security [5].

The work of preparing ASIS Standards and Guidelines is carried out through the ASIS International Standards and Guidelines Commission and its committees. An ANSI accredited Standards Development Organization, ASIS actively participates in the International Organization for Standardization, developing standards and guidelines within a voluntary, nonproprietary and consensus-based process, utilizing the knowledge, experience and expertise of ASIS membership, security professionals and the global security industry.

Visit www.asisonline.org [6] for a complete list of all ASIS Standards and Guidelines currently under development.

photo by John Loo/flickr [7]
 

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