Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs)
The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs), established in 2000, guide extractive sector companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within a framework that respects human rights. The VPs are a multi-stakeholder initiative involving governments (13), companies (39), and NGOs (13). Three pillars: risk assessment, interactions with public security, and interactions with private security. Companies report annually on VP implementation. The VP Initiative is administered from The Hague. Particularly relevant for operations in conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
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Framework Domains (4)
Implementation and Governance
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| BIK-G1 | Alignment with Digital Services Act |
| BIK-G2 | Safer Internet Centres network |
| BIK-G3 | Cross-sectoral cooperation |
| BIK-G4 | Monitoring and reporting |
| IG-1 | Annual Reporting |
| IG-2 | Multi-Stakeholder Engagement |
| IG-3 | Continuous Improvement |
| IG-4 | Incident Response |
Interactions with Private Security
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| PrS-1 | Selection and Vetting |
| PrS-2 | Contractual Requirements |
| PrS-3 | Use of Force Policies |
| PrS-4 | Training Requirements |
| PrS-5 | Grievance Mechanisms |
Interactions with Public Security
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| PS-1 | Security Arrangements with Public Forces |
| PS-2 | Promotion of Human Rights Standards |
| PS-3 | Use of Force Guidelines |
| PS-4 | Monitoring and Reporting |
| PS-5 | Community Engagement |
Risk Assessment
A dynamic and iterative process for identifying and assessing risks to the achievement of objectives, forming the basis for determining how risks should be managed.
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| COSO-IC-ERM-ST | Strategy and objective-setting — aligning risk appetite with strategy and formulating business objectives (ERM Framework integration) |
| COSO-IC-RA-06 | The organization specifies objectives with sufficient clarity for risk identification and assessment |
| COSO-IC-RA-07 | The organization identifies risks to objectives across the entity and analyzes them for management |
| COSO-IC-RA-08 | The organization considers the potential for fraud in assessing risks |
| COSO-IC-RA-09 | The organization identifies and assesses changes that could significantly impact internal control |
| DMF-4.1 | Impact Assessment |
| DMF-4.2 | Risk Categorization |
| DMF-4.3 | Regulatory Risk Assessment |
| RA-1 | Security Risk Assessment |
| RA-2 | Human Rights Risk Identification |
| RA-3 | Conflict Analysis |
| RA-4 | Rule of Law Assessment |
| RA-5 | Equipment Transfer Risk |
Maps to 575 other frameworks
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs)?
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) is a compliance framework from International (VP Initiative) with 4 domains and 31 controls. The Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs), established in 2000, guide extractive sector companies in maintaining the safety and security of their operations within a framework that respects human rights. The VPs are a multi-stakeholder initiative involving governments (13), companies (39), and NGOs (13). Three pillars: risk assessment, interactions with public security, and interactions with private security. Companies report annually on VP implementation. The VP Initiative is administered from The Hague. Particularly relevant for operations in conflict-affected and high-risk areas. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
How many controls does Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) have?
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) has 31 controls organised across 4 domains. The largest domains are Risk Assessment (13 controls), Implementation and Governance (8 controls), Interactions with Private Security (5 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.
What frameworks does Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) map to?
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) maps to 575 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are German Supply Chain Due Diligence Act (LkSG) (26% coverage), ASEAN Data Management Framework (23% coverage), Modern Slavery Act 2018 (Australia) (23% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.
How do I get started with Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs) compliance?
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