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Objectives
The aim of this Convention is to eliminate the possibility of the use of chemical weapons. It seeks to do this by implementing the Conventionís provisions and promoting free trade in chemicals, as well as international cooperation and exchange of scientific and technical information in the field of chemical activities, for purposes not prohibited under the Convention.
Key Provisions
Each country that is party to this Convention commits never to
- develop, produce, acquire, stockpile or retain chemical
weapons, or transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to anyone
- use chemical weapons
- engage in any military preparations to use chemical weapons
- assist, encourage or induce anyone, in any way, to engage in any activity prohibited to a
country that is party to this Convention
In keeping with the provisions of the Convention, each of these countries commits to
- destroy chemical weapons it owns or possesses, or are any place under its jurisdiction or
control
- destroy all chemical weapons it abandoned on the territory of another country
- destroy any chemical weapons production facilities it owns or possesses, or that are
located in any place under its jurisdiction or control
The Convention is verified through a combination of three things:
- reporting requirements
- routine on-site inspections of declared sites
- challenge inspections
It affects not only the military sector, but also the civilian chemical industry worldwide, through restrictions on the production, processing and consumption of chemicals relevant to the objectives of the Convention. Controlled chemicals are classified in three lists or "schedules," subject to different levels of verification:
- Schedule 1 includes chemicals that have been or can be easily used as chemical weapons
and which have few peaceful uses, if any
- Schedule 2 includes chemicals that are precursors to, or in some cases, can themselves
be used as, chemical weapons agents, but have a number of other commercial uses (such
as ingredients in insecticides, herbicides, lubricants and some pharmaceutical products)
- Schedule 3 includes chemicals that can be used to produce chemical weapons or, in some
cases, used as chemical weapons, but are widely used for peaceful purposes. (This
includes use in herbicides, insecticides, paints, coatings, textiles and lubricants).
The Convention recognizes the prohibition, embodied in international law, of the use of herbicides as a method of warfare. |
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