The Switzerland government is a principal supporter of regulatory efforts for private military and security companies (PMSCs); it sponsors two multi-stakeholder initiatives aimed at gaining government and company signatories to standards which govern PMSCs. The Montreux process is a purely intergovernmental initiative; it seeks to commit states to upholding international humanitarian law and human rights if and when they use private security contractors. The core document for this process is the Montreux Document. The second initiative is the International Code of Conduct (ICOC), which is specifically aimed at setting higher standards for private security companies. PMSCs signing the ICOC agree to adhere to a specific set of practices for their operations as set out in the Code. The Swiss Confederation also was the primary force behind the creation of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces, or DCAF. 

Swiss regulations for private security services have largely been created at the Canton level rather than through the Federal government. However, starting in 2005 the Federal Council has increasingly looked to adopt further regulations on private security services. The Council adopted laws in 2007, 2010, and is currently examining a future law for governing private security in Switzerland. 

Switzerland responded to the UN Working Group on Mercenaries questionnaire on Private Security. 

 > Switzerland is not a signatory to the UN Convention against the use of Mercenaries.
 > Switzerland is a signatory to the Montreux Document.