Inspections inspected States Parties, definition

A third area of implementation of the CWC is the apphcation of the provisions to prevent CW prohferation. These provisions are contained in the general undertakings of the States Parties (Article I) in conjunction with the apphcable definitions (Article II), the requirement for States Parties to take the measures necessary for them to fully implement all the provisions of the Convention and to render each other legal assistance (Article VII), and the provisions on declarations, inspections and transfer prohibitions under Article VI. 

It has to be emphasized, however, that these three Schedules are neither intended to serve as an alternative definition of a chemical weapon under the CWC, nor are the lists set in concrete. Rather, these lists are used for declarations by states parties and verification activities of the OPCW with respect to routine inspections and as such do not circumscribe the scope of the Convention. It follows from this that any chemical, whether listed under a Schedule or not, has to be considered a chemical weapon if it has been produced, stored or used for that purpose. 59 If required, Schedules can be updated more easily than the text of the Convention itself, in order to reflect changes in the S T environment.60... 

The workshop started with the discussion of the idea that the chemical industry, since entry into force of the Convention, considers implementation-related processes as a normal part of their day-to-day activities. Of course, there are issues that still need to be addressed. The complexities inherent in the definitions, terms, and regulations of the Convention can create difficulties. Also, there remain differences in relation to national regulations, the nomenclature used by various countries/associations, the declaration of transfers, and the declaration of mixtures containing scheduled chemicals. In all these areas, the chemical industry needs clarity and consistency in order to implement requirements and to ensure that equitable and similar standards are applied to all States Parties. The adjustments made in the selection methodology for inspection of other chemical production facilities (OCPFs) were seen as a way of devising a fairer distribution in terms of this type of inspection. 

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