Chemical Weapons Convention

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international arms control treaty, in force since 1997, which prohibits the production and use of chemical weapons, requires the destruction of existing chemical weapons, and regulates facilities and substances that can be used to produce chemical weapons.

Summary

The CWC, known formally as the "Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction," is intended "to exclude completely the possibility of the use of chemical weapons." Signatories to the Convention have agreed not to produce, use, prepare to use, or help others to use chemical weapons. They have committed to destroying all chemical weapons existing in places under their direct control, as well as any they may have abandoned in places controlled by other signatories. They have also agreed to destroy any chemical weapons production facilities they own or control, and to refrain from using riot control agents as weapons of war.

Nations that have ratified or acceded to the CWC do so by depositing the appropriate signed documents with the Secretary General of the United Nations. They thereby become members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), having the right to vote and the obligation to provide financial support. The OPCW's inspectors and staff monitor and report on members' compliance with the CWC.