UNLIREC and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) as part of the joint project ‘Strengthening Oversight and Building Capacities for Small Arms Control and Nonproliferation in the Private Security Sector’ carried out, between 2015 and 2016, (i) a regional baseline study on “small arms control in the private security sector in Latin America and the Caribbean” and national baseline assessments on ‘private security and small arms control’ in the respective beneficiary countries; (ii) National Action Plans (NAPs) for small arms control in the private security sector; (iii) National Executive Seminars on International Standards and Good Governance in the Private Security Sector, reaching out over 50 Private Security Companies (PSCs); (iv) Technical Workshops on Best Practices and International Standards in Physical Security and Stockpile Management for PSCs (140 participants from over 100 different PSCs were trained); (v) follow-up consultations with PSCs on the integration of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) on stockpile management; (vi) voluntary assessments of PSC armories and storage facilities; (vii) one model ISACS and IATGs compliant small arms and ammunition armory facility refurbishment (re-design and equipped) and bullet traps procured and delivered to both PSCs and national entities. Likewise, UN Hazard and Fire Division warning signs were designed and delivered to both PSCs and national entities; (ix) one international seminar on good practices and international standards in the private security sector; and (xi) marked over 1,000 firearms belonging to PSCs.

In addition, DCAF contributes to the implementation of internationally-accepted standards, norms, and good practices for private security legislation and regulation by providing legislative and regulatory support. More specifically, DCAF: (i) supports the development of new private security legislation and engages more broadly with security sector management and oversight bodies; (ii) assists in structuring the audit and certification of private security companies by national regulators; (iii) facilitates additional self-regulation of the private security sectors; and (iv) promotes and disseminates the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers (ICoC).

Finally, as part of the assistance package, UNLIREC distributed, (a) guidance notes on small arms and ammunition management for PSCs summarizing the requirements of IATG and ISACS applicable to effective small arms and ammunition management of PSC holdings to approximately 200 stakeholders; and (b) checklists on Stockpile Management Technical Standards as part of the voluntary assessment reports to PSCs.