Verification of Chemicals Related to the Chemical Weapons Convention

Abstract

This article gives a short historical review of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), discusses the tasks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) related to chemical analysis, and lists the chemicals scheduled in the CWC. The Recommended Operating Procedures (ROPs) proposed originally by Finland and subsequently developed further in international cooperation as well as the work instructions (WIs) of the OPCW are briefly discussed. Strategy for analysis of CWC-related chemicals in an off-site laboratory is presented. The international interlaboratory comparison (round-robin) and proficiency tests as well as future prospects are discussed.