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April 29

Chemical Weapons Convention Enters into Force (1997)


On April 29, 1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention entered into force, outlawing the production, stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons.

In 1968, multiple countries met and formed the Disarmament Committee to consider a chemical and biological weapons ban throughout the world. Eighteen nations met to discuss what could be done about regulating or banning chemical weapons. Over the years, the Disarmament Committee became the Conference on Disarmament (CD), and it continued to study the impact of chemical and biological weapons. In 1992, the CD submitted its annual report to the UN General Assembly, titled Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction. The General Assembly approved the Convention and opened it for signature in 1993.

On April 29, 1997, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction, shortened to Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), entered into force.

The CWC bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time. The CWC has strict declaration policies for its member states. All chemical weapon stockpiles and chemical weapon production facilities must be declared in writing within 30 days of the CWC’s entry into force for new member nations. There are also strict destruction policies. In addition, the CWC bans:
  • Developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical weapons
  • The direct or indirect transfer of chemical weapons
  • Chemical weapons use or military preparation for use
  • The use of riot control agents "as a method of warfare"
The CWC is implemented by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is headquartered in The Hague and has about 500 employees. Today, there are 184 member nations.