The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) today
completed four chemical industry inspections in different geographic
regions of the world, bringing the total number of such inspections
to three thousand.
The inspections confirmed that the activities in those sites were in
compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
The Director-General of the OPCW Ambassador Ahmet Üzümcü underlined:
“Chemical industry verification is one of the pillars of the CWC.
The successful completion of 3000 inspections strengthens our resolve
to ensure that chemical weapons are never again produced or used.
We recognise the key importance of the cooperation of the global
chemical industry in achieving this aim.”
The aim of chemical industry inspections is to promote confidence
that all members are complying with their obligation to prevent the
re-emergence of chemical weapons. During their missions, OPCW’s
inspectors verify that no chemicals or their precursors covered
under the CWC are being produced or used for prohibited purposes.
Out of 191 States Parties to the CWC, over 80 States possess chemical
industry facilities which fall under the OPCW’s verification regime.
Each year, the OPCW conducts 241 industry inspections worldwide in
such facilities.
