National implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
Support to States Parties in implementing national requirements of the Convention. Full and effective implementation by States Parties of the provisions of Article VII of the Convention.
News and articles related to national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention
Basic Course for the Personnel of National Authorities Involved in the Implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention held at OPCW Headquarters
The Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) organised the Basic Course for the Personnel of National Authorities Involved in the Implementation of Chemical Weapons Convention at...07 November 2011Full story
Deputy Director-General Visits Washington DC and Anniston Chemical Weapons Destruction Facility
The Deputy Director-General of the OPCW, Ms. Grace Asirwatham, paid an official visit to the United States of America from 17 to 21 October 2011. This is the first official visit of Ms. Grace Asirwatham to the United States as...28 October 2011Full story
Legal Workshop held in Uganda for African National Authorities
The Government of the Republic of Uganda and the OPCW co-hosted a Legal Workshop for National Authorities of State Parties in Africa from 11 – 13 October 2011 in Kampala. The workshop was attended by 29 participants from 15...28 October 2011Full story
Making the Convention Work
To make sure that the CWC is implemented effectively, States Parties are obliged to designate or establish a National Authority. This body escorts OPCW inspections of relevant industrial or military sites; submits initial and annual declarations; assists and protects those States Parties which are threatened by, or have suffered, chemical attack; and fosters the peaceful uses of chemistry. In addition, the National Authority acts as the focal point in the State Party's interaction with other States Parties and the Technical Secretariat of the OPCW.
The Secretariat supports States Parties in their national implementation of the CWC. The focus of this work is to provide advice and assistance to the staff of National Authorities, in order to help them enhance their skills and expertise to facilitate effective, autonomous, national implementation. The Technical Secretariat coordinates and hosts regular meetings of the National Authorities from around the world. CD-ROM, DVD and website information packages on CWC implementation are available.
Every State Party must implement the provisions under the CWC at the national level. This includes enacting penal legislation encompassing all activities prohibited. Each State Party is obliged to provide other States Parties with its fullest cooperation to expedite prosecution. Legal experts have formed regional networks to facilitate the adoption of national legislation that bans and criminalises the misuse of chemicals as weapons.
Some figures on national implementation follow:
- 186 National Authorities have been established.
- 139 States Parties have informed the Organisation of the legislative and administrative measures taken to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention.
- 88 States Parties have legislation covering all key areas.
- Since 1997, over 2,800 participants, including more than 1,400 sponsored participants from all geographical regions have received support in the CWC's effective national implementation through OPCW meetings, workshops and training courses.