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GRI 410: Security Practices 2016

EFFECTIVE DATE: 1 JULY 2018

Introduction​

GRI 410: Security Practices 2016 contains disclosures for organizations to report information about their security practice-related impacts, and how they manage these impacts. The Standard is structured as follows:

  • Section 1 contains a requirement, which provides information about how the organization manages its security practice-related impacts.
  • Section 2 contains one disclosure, which provides information about the organization’s security practice-related impacts.
  • The Glossary contains defined terms with a specific meaning when used in the GRI Standards. The terms are underlined in the text of the GRI Standards and linked to the definitions.
  • The Biblogrpahy lists references used in developing this Standard.

Background on the topic​

This Standard addresses the topic of security practices. It focuses on the conduct of security personnel towards third parties, and the potential risk for excessive use of force or other violations of human rights. Security personnel can refer to employees of the reporting organization or employees of third-party organizations that provide security forces. The use of security personnel can have negative impacts on local populations, and on the upholding of human rights and the rule of law. Providing effective training in human rights therefore helps to make sure that security personnel understand when to use force in an appropriate way, and how to ensure respect for human rights.

1. Topic management disclosures​

An organization reporting in accordance with the GRI Standards is required to report how it manages each of its material topics.

An organization that has determined security practices to be a material topic is required to report how it manages the topic using Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3: Material Topics 2021 (see clause 1.1 in this section).

This section is therefore designed to supplement – and not replace – Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3.

REQUIREMENTS​

  • 1.1 The reporting organization shall report how it manages security practices using Disclosure 3-3 in GRI 3: Material Topics 2021.

2. Topic disclosures​

Disclosure 410-1 Security personnel trained in human rights policies or procedures​

REQUIREMENTS​

The reporting organization shall report the following information:

  • a. Percentage of security personnel who have received formal training in the organization’s human rights policies or specific procedures and their application to security.
  • b. Whether training requirements also apply to third-party organizations providing security personnel.

RECOMMENDATIONS​

  • 2.1 When compiling the information specified in Disclosure 410-1-a, the reporting organization should:
    • 2.1.1 calculate the percentage using the total number of security personnel, whether they are employees of the organization or employees of third-party organizations;
    • 2.1.2 state whether employees of third-party organizations are also included in the calculation.

GUIDANCE​

Guidance for Disclosure 410-1
The training can refer either to training dedicated to the subject of human rights or to a human rights module within a general training program. Training can cover issues such as the use of force, inhuman or degrading treatment or discrimination, or identification and registering.

Background
The use of security personnel can play an essential role in allowing an organization to operate in a safe and productive manner, and can contribute to the security of local communities and populations.

However, as set out in the International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers, the use of security personnel can also have negative impacts on local populations and on the upholding of human rights and the rule of law.

According to the UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, ‘human rights education constitutes an essential contribution to the long-term prevention of human rights abuses and represents an important investment in the endeavor to achieve a just society in which all human rights of all persons are valued and respected.’

Training security personnel in human rights can therefore help to ensure their appropriate conduct towards third parties, particularly regarding the use of force. This disclosure indicates the proportion of the security force that can reasonably be assumed to be aware of an organization’s expectations of human rights performance. Information provided under this disclosure can demonstrate the extent to which management systems pertaining to human rights are implemented.

Bibliography​

This section lists references used in developing this Standard.

References:

    1. International Code of Conduct for Private Security Service Providers, 2010.
    1. Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, http://voluntaryprinciples.org/, accessed on 1 September 2016.