To suggest additional resources on implementing chemical security practices for inclusion on this page, please contact rcupitt[@]stimson.org.
General Information
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
The OPCW is the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). Its mission is to implement the provisions of the CWC to achieve a vision of a world free of chemical weapons and the threat of their use, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity. 193 States have committed to the CWC.
LEARN MORE: www.opcw.org
READ THE CWC: www.opcw.org/chemical-weapons-convention
Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction
The Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction is an international initiative comprised of 30 member states and the European Union aimed at preventing the proliferation of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons and their related materials. The Global Partnership has a Chemical Security Working Group, which has adopted and is implementing a Strategic Vision that aims to mitigate all manner of threats posed by chemical weapons, including state-based chemical weapons programs and the acquisition and use of CW by non-state actors.
LEARN MORE: www.gpwmd.com
VIEW STRATEGIC VISION: www.gpwmd.com/cwsg-strategic_vision
United Nations 1540 Committee
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) imposed binding obligations on all States to adopt legislation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, and their means of delivery, and establish appropriate domestic controls over related materials to prevent their illicit trafficking.
Resolution 1540 also established a Committee as a subsidiary body of the Security Council, known as the 1540 Committee, which is tasked with overseeing implementation of the resolution by member states, coordinating assistance requests and offers related to national implementation, and communicating with states and organizations regarding their nonproliferation efforts.
Additionally, Member States may submit formal requests for assistance to the 1540 Committee. The Committee has made available an assistance template and encourages States in need of assistance to use the template to submit their assistance requests.
LEARN MORE: www.un.org/en/sc/1540
ACCESS ASSISTANCE TEMPLATE: www.un.org/en/sc/1540/assistance/assistance-template.shtml
Global Chemical Security Congress
An annual conference that convenes a community of experts working to counter the threat of chemical and explosive terrorism by non-state actors. This Congress works to build a chemical security community of practice that transcends borders, sectors, and institutions. Stakeholders that attend this Congress include law enforcement, governments, industry, academia, scientific institutions and international partners.
LEARN MORE: www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Terrorism/Chemical-and-Explosives-terrorism/Global-Chemical-Security-Congress
Sources on Chemical Security Best Practices
Review the open source resources the Stimson Center explored to identify common chemical security practices discussed and implemented around the world.
Download ‘Sources on Chemical Security Best Practices’ Document [PDF, 177 KB]
E-Learning Tools
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
OPCW developed a National Implementation Framework, which provides Member States with a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to effective national implementation of the CWC. It lists key elements of Convention implementation and a process for analyzing and prioritizing implementation measures.
LEARN MORE & DOWNLOAD THE FRAMEWORK: www.opcw.org/resources/national-implementation/national-implementation-framework
OPCW offers online courses that individuals can register for free. These tools provide National Authorities and other stakeholders with the requisite tools and knowledge to perform their duties in relation to the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). These e-learning tools consist of introductory courses regarding the CWC and National Authorities as well as information on verification regimes.
LEARN MORE & REGISTER FOR FREE: www.opcw.org/opcw-e-learning-0
UNODC e-Learning Module on the International Legal Framework Against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terrorism
UNODC’s module is a technical assistance tool for training purposes that aims to familiarize policy and decision makers and counter-terrorism practitioners with the requirements of the relevant international legal instruments and assist legislative drafters and criminal justice officials with their effective implementation.
The target audience of the curriculum includes prosecutors and judges, investigators and other law enforcement officials, policymakers and government officials from concerned key departments (notably foreign affairs, justice and interior) who are involved in legislative drafting, international cooperation in criminal matters, investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorist crimes or have responsibilities in the ratification of international treaties.
REVIEW MODULE: Download ‘The International Legal Framework against Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Terrorism’ document [PDF, 1.7 MB]
Stimson Center’s UNSC Resolution 1540 Assistance Support Initiative Database
This database contains many projects and programs on nonproliferation assistance to help achieve compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540. This database includes information on assistance activities related to developing and implementing CWC implementing legislation, chemical security trainings, and outreach with chemical industry stakeholders.
VISIT HERE: 1540assistance.stimson.org
Sandia National Laboratories’ Chemical Risk Management Self-Assessment Model (Chem-SAM)
A voluntary chemical risk management tool designed for use by security officers and managers of medium to small chemical facilities or laboratories to evaluate security risks using a guided questionnaire. The model provides a visualization of the relative security risks and helps to identify risk mitigation measures. Chem-SAM assesses the risk of theft and subsequent misuse of a chemical from the facility, and the risk of personnel and local citizens due to a chemical release from sabotage.
LEARN MORE: www.csp-state.net/resources/chem-sam
Videos & Multimedia
INTERPOL Chemical Awareness Video for First Responders
INTERPOL Operation CHASE II Video
OPCW’s The Fires Project
As described on its website, this project consists of short documentary videos depicting the intersection of people and chemical weapons. Video topics range from how to identify chemical substances in an unknown sample to the kind of explosives that may be useful in effectively and safely destroying dangerous chemical weapons.
VIEW VIDEOS: www.opcw.org/fires