Appendix 2

Appendix 2
Foreword

The Handbook on Chemicals version 2002 has been produced to meet the need for a comprehensive manual, which could facilitate the efforts to identify individual chemicals, included under the categories listed in the Annex on Chemicals of the CWC. This publication complements the previous version of the Handbook on Chemicals, issued by the Technical Secretariat immediately after the Entry into Force of the CWC. It aims to provide simple and clear guidance for the identification of chemicals for the States Parties in accordance with the requirements of the Convention.

The Handbook on Chemicals version 2002 incorporates all scheduled chemicals which have been identified by the Secretariat as bearing industrial relevance, based on information collected from declarations submitted by States Parties, and complemented from open sources.

Although the Handbook on Chemicals is a comprehensive collection of information, it is not a binding document and it is not intended to be used as a reference manual, although its content and structure could serve as such. This compendium is a work in progress, which aims to compile and present, in a concise form, chemicals which are covered by the CWC. Should a situation arise in which the content of this handbook is called into question, the relevant provisions of the Convention or decisions of the OPCW policy making organs shall prevail.

I wish to thank the personnel of the Declarations Branch and the Inspectors - María Chueca, Paulo Costa and Pedro Falcao who have contributed to the development of this handbook, and representatives from the States Parties who have provided many valuable comments. I trust that our shared experience of using the Handbook on Chemicals version 2002 will contribute to further enhance the co-operation between States Parties and the Secretariat.

HORST REEPS
Director of Verification