Q. With reference to ‘Organization for the prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’ consider the following statements:

  1. It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO
  2. It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons free emerging
  3. It provides assistance and protection to Stated Parties against chemical weapons threats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  • 1 only
  • 2 and 3 only
  • 1 and 3 only
  • 1,2 and 3

Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW):
  • It is the implementing body of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
  • Mission: To implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in order to achieve the OPCW’s vision of a world that is free of chemical weapons and of the threat of their use, and in which cooperation in chemistry for peaceful purposes for all is fostered.
  • Its headquarters are located in The Hague, Netherlands.
  • The OPCW receives states-parties’ declarations detailing chemical weapons-related activities or materials and relevant industrial activities.
  • The OPCW is authorized to perform inspections to verify that signatory states are complying with the convention.
  • It also performs testing of sites and victims of suspected chemical weapons attacks. 
  • OPCW reports on its inspections and other activities to the UN through the office of the secretary-general.
  • The OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC):
  • It is a multilateral treaty that bans chemical weapons and requires their destruction within a specified period of time.
  • It entered into force on April 29, 1997.
  • The CWC requires states-parties to declare in writing to the OPCW their chemical weapons stockpiles, chemical weapons production facilities (CWPFs), relevant chemical industry facilities, and other weapons-related information.
  • The CWC is open to all nations and currently has 193 states-parties.
    • India signed the treaty in January 1993.
  • Convention Prohibits:
    • The development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, or retention of chemical weapons.
    • Transferring of chemical weapons.
    • Using chemical weapons.
    • Assisting other States to indulge in activities that are prohibited by the CWC.
    • Using riot-control devices as ‘warfare methods’.
  • Indian Initiative:
    • The Chemical Weapons Convention Act, 2000 was passed to implement the CWC.
    • It provided for the establishment of a National Authority for Chemical Weapons Convention or NACWC. This institution, formed in 2005, is the chief liaison between the government of India and the OPCW. It is an office in the Cabinet Secretariat of the GoI.