Federal Law of 01.12.2007 No. 315-FZ “Concerning Self-Regulatory Organizations” launched the beginning of a new phase in business development in Russia and had a great influence on the development of an open market of private security services.

What is a self-regulating organization (SRO)?

Self-regulating organizations (SROs) that bring together professional participants in the security services market are essentially alternatives to the activities of State executive bodies.

What that means?

Even the most efficient State would not be able to fully meet the demand for security services, but would require enormous material and human resources. Moreover, such an approach is not flexible: bureaucratization and monopoly on facility protection would make the provision of such services ineffective.

It is therefore necessary to involve private security companies in the solution of this problem. However, small single organizations may not always guarantee the quality of such services.

The solution is to increase and improve the quality of security services provided. This can be achieved if market participants have the opportunity to unite, to defend their interests together, to set professional standards of activity and to ensure that all members of such an association are able to follow them.

Federal Law of 01.12.2007 No. 315-FZ “Concerning Self-Regulatory Organizations” gives private security companies that option.

What is the difference between SRO and other forms of private security association?

Unlike ordinary associations, unions, communities and syndicates, SRO officially assumes:

• Financial and material responsibility for the activities of its members. To this end, SRO establishes a special compensation fund from which possible losses are recovered to the customers of security services (insurance of liability of SRO members).
• Monitoring of guarantees and quality of security services by SRO member companies. To this end, the SRO establishes a supervisory authority to ensure compliance with the legal requirements, standards and regulations.
• The right to discipline and, if necessary, to force compensation for damage caused by members of SRO to a customer of security services. Measures of influence are regulated within the framework of the provisions of Russian legislation and the internal regulations of the SRO.

What does it give to the industry?

Existence of such professional associations:

• Effectively sets standards for business and ethical interaction among SRO participants
• Eliminates their conflict of interest
• Orients them to criteria established by a single collegial permanent governing body
• Regulations and standards of the SRO establish prohibitions on unfair competition against other market participants

Thanks to all of the above the market as a whole is becoming more professional, the quality of service is improving, and professional rules and standards of interaction are emerging. All this increases the prestige and reputation of private security in general.

Why is joining SRO advantageous?

Already now it is obvious that exactly for SRO – including in security activity – the future of business-subjects organization in Russia. There are a number of reasons for this:

• Membership in SRO is a peculiar «quality sign». Regulation within the SRO (legal, statutory, economic responsibility) automatically prevents the entry of unsatisfactory or under-professional organizations.
• The ability to influence industry standards to protect their interests.
• Harmonization of internal standards of SRO member companies with international standards. This makes it possible to participate in tenders for large and demanding orders, where confirmation of the appropriate level of quality of service is required.
• Comprehensive support from SRO – from legal issues and financial support to business development assistance.

Membership of SRO UNION «Security» is the best confirmation of professionalism and guarantee of quality of service of private security organization. Our standards and regulations have been drawn up and agreed upon with the State authorities, which meets all the requirements of interaction with the users of security services and State authorities at all levels.