A/HRC/4/35 page 19 the process, but where several thousand armed forces members have gone through company-supported human rights training.53 Thus, even though their participants admit that substantial improvements are required, these initiatives have a significant operational impact. 60. A second measure of effectiveness is whether they serve as examples for others. Indeed, the relative ease with which they can be established, in contrast with treaty-based instruments, together with their perceived potential, have directly inspired parallel efforts in related fields, including rules regarding private security forces and also for businesses beyond the extractive sector.54 61. One final feature of recent innovations in soft law arrangements - both the intergovernmental and multi-stakeholder variety - should be noted. As they strengthen their accountability mechanisms, they also begin to blur the lines between the strictly voluntary and mandatory spheres for participants. Once in, exiting can be costly. No company has to accept IFC financing or loans from Equator banks but if they do, certain performance criteria are required for continued funding. Countries are free to join the EITI or not, but if they do then extractive companies are required to issue public reports of their payments to Governments. Suspension or expulsion from Kimberley has a direct economic impact on countries and companies. Voluntary Principles language - and in some cases the actual text - has been incorporated into legal agreements between Governments and companies. And once the Voluntary Principles adopt participation criteria, non-compliance similarly could lead to expulsion. 62. In sum, the standard-setting role of soft law remains as important as ever to crystallize emerging norms in the international community. The increased focus on accountability in some intergovernmental arrangements, coupled with the innovations in soft law mechanisms that involve corporations directly in regulatory rulemaking and implementation, suggests increased State and corporate acknowledgment of evolving social expectations and a recognition of the need to exercise shared responsibility. 53 Indications are that Colombia will become the first host country to join the Voluntary Principles. The Government has established a National Committee for the Voluntary Principles, including companies. The Government and companies have incorporated Voluntary Principles language into their agreements for public security forces protecting company operations. Both parties have established reporting systems for alleged abuses. And some companies use Voluntary Principles-related criteria in annual performance reviews of managers. 54 Drawing on the Voluntary Principles precedent, the Swiss Government and the International Committee of the Red Cross are leading an effort to elaborate recommendations and best practices for States with regard to private military and security forces. The pilot phase of the Colombia guidelines, based on the Voluntary Principles text, has just been launched, aiming to extend the model to such non-extractive sectors as food and beverages.