Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
The United States is one of over 190 States Parties to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons (CW). The CWC does not prohibit production, processing, consumption, or trade of toxic chemicals for peaceful purposes, but it does establish a verification regime that includes, among other things, declaration and inspection requirements for certain chemicals.
News
CY 2025 “Change in Inspection Status” for Unscheduled Discrete Organic Chemical (UDOCs) plant site are due by December 15th 2025
- For CY 2025, if your UDOC facility WILL NOT synthesize more than 200 metric tons of UDOCs (the inspection threshold), you should submit a “Change In Inspection Status” Form (CIIS Form) to TCD by December 15th . Submission of a CIIS Form will avoid a possible inspection of your facility during the first 3 months of CY 2026, before the United States submits the 2025 ADPA to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
- If your UDOC facility shutdown or ceased declarable activities in CY2025 (did not synthesize more than 30 metric tons of an individual PSF chemical or 200 metric tons aggregate of all UDOCs), you may submit a CIIS Form to notify TCD of the status change of your facility. TCD will notify the OPCW on the status change of your facility to ensure an inspection does not occur during the first three months of CY 2026.
Below is an overview of the chemicals monitored by the CWC and the components of the CWC verification regime. These components include declaration and reporting requirements, and on-site inspections that are triggered when quantitative threshold activity levels are exceeded.
Declarations and reports
The CWC monitors chemicals listed in three Schedules and certain "unscheduled discrete organic chemicals” (UDOCS). The CWC imposes declaration requirements upon industry in States Parties when production, processing, or consumption exceeds certain thresholds.
These requirements include:
- Initial declarations
- Annual declarations of the past year's activities
- Annual declarations of next year's anticipated activities
- Declaration amendments or updates for changes to previously submitted data or additionally planned activities
The CWC also imposes reporting requirements upon industry when imports or exports exceed certain thresholds. To support CWC requirements, End-Use Certificates are also required by Section 745.2 of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) for exports of Schedule 3 chemicals to States Not Party to the Convention.
Inspections
The CWC mandates on-site inspections when your declared chemical activity exceeded certain quantity threshold. The aims of the inspection are to verify the accuracy of declarations, ensure activities are for commercial purpose, verify the absence of Schedule 1 chemicals (if not declared), and the non-diversion of scheduled chemicals.
Industry Inspection Preparation Handbook
This handbook provides a reference for the preparation, inspection, and post-inspection processes associated with inspection of declared chemical facilities.
Pre-inspection briefing (PIB)
The PIB is the first official activity during a CWC inspection, and therefore critical to creating a cooperative atmosphere for a Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) inspection. The plant site drafts and presents the PIB to the inspectors.
Lessons learned from industry inspections
Although all facilities have unique characteristics and proprietary concerns, there are common issues that have arisen in preparation for and during inspections. This publication highlights these issues and offers advice to facilities on preparing for and expediting inspections.
Outreach
BIS provides resources to help you understand and comply with the CWC.
Global Chemical Industry Compliance Program (GC-ICP)
This handbook assists companies in determining if their chemical is subject to declaration/reporting under the CWC and other administrative elements, such as corporate commitment statement and recordkeeping.
Publications
Access helpful guidance and resources designed for U.S. industry.
International Implementation Assistance Program
The purpose of the Implementation Assistance Program (IAP) is to assist States Parties’ implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention’s declaration and import/export control obligations under Article VI, and to describe how to establish a National Authority under Article VII. It also includes materials to assist States Parties in conducting outreach to their chemical industries.
Need help?
Contact the Bureau of Industry and Security, Treaty Compliance Division.
Email [email protected]
Email [email protected]
Call 202-482-1001