New York, 30 November 1992
Objectives
The aim of the Convention is to exclude completely the possibility of the
use of chemical weapons, through the implementation of the provisions of
this Convention, and to promote 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 this Convention.
Key Provisions
Each State party to this Convention undertakes never under any circumstances
to develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile or retain chemical weapons,
or transfer, directly or indirectly, chemical weapons to anyone; to use
chemical weapons; to engage in any military preparations to use chemical
weapons; and to assist, encourage or induce, in any way, anyone to engage
in any activity prohibited to a State party under this Convention. Furthermore,
to address concerns regarding the possible use of herbicides as a method
of warfare, the States parties recognize "the prohibition, embodied in
the pertinent agreements and relevant principles of international law,
of the use of herbicides as a method of warfare".
Each State party also undertakes to destroy chemical weapons it owns or
possesses, or that are located in any place under its jurisdiction or control,
in accordance with the provisions of the Convention.
Furthermore, each State party undertakes to destroy all chemical weapons
it abandoned on the territory of another State Party, in accordance with
the provisions of this Convention.
Each State party undertakes to destroy any chemical weapons production
facilities it owns or possesses, or that are located in any place under
its jurisdiction or control, in accordance with the provisions of this
Convention.
The Convention is verified through a combination of reporting requirements,
routine on-site inspections of declared sites and challenge inspections.
The Convention not only affects the military sector but also civilian chemical
industry worldwide through certain restrictions and obligations regarding
the production, processing and consumption of chemicals that are considered
relevant to the objectives of the Convention. Controlled chemicals are
classified in three lists or "schedules", which are subject to differing
levels of verification. Schedule 1 chemicals include those that have been
or can be easily used as chemical weapons and which have very limited,
if any, uses for peaceful purposes. Schedule 2 chemicals include those
that are precursors to, or that, in some cases, can themselves be used
as, chemical weapons agents, but which have a number of other commercial
uses (such as ingredients in insecticides, herbicides, lubricants and some
pharmaceutical products). Schedule 3 chemicals include those that can be
used to produce, or that, in some cases, can themselves be used as, chemical
weapons, but which are widely used for peaceful purposes (including in
herbicides, insecticides, paints, coatings, textiles and lubricants).