Chemical weapons represent a serious global threat to security and human health; therefore, international law and national regulations aim to prevent their production, use, and dissemination. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is the main international treaty governing these activities: ratified in Italy with Law No. 496 of November 18, 1995, and entered into force in 1997, its goal is the complete elimination of chemical weapons and the prevention of their production, use, and dissemination. This is achieved by establishing a global legal framework obligating signatory countries to destroy their chemical weapons stockpiles and cease all related activities.
The signatory countries of the CWC are responsible for implementing the convention at the national level and must, therefore, establish competent national authorities to monitor and enforce the regulation. The secondary stakeholders are the chemical industries that produce, process, or use chemicals subject to the CWC and must comply with monitoring and reporting requirements. Then, there are research institutions, such as universities and research centers, which use regulated chemicals and must ensure compliance with the regulations.
There are also monitoring bodies: National Control Authorities (governmental entities tasked with monitoring and verifying compliance with national and international regulations) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international body responsible for implementing the CWC, including overseeing the destruction of chemical weapons and conducting on-site inspections. In Italy, the national authority responsible for implementing the CWC is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).
Flashpoint supports companies in understanding and applying international and national regulations on chemical weapons, preparing compliance declarations, drafting management procedures, carrying out registration activities, and fulfilling the requirements based on specific reference criteria.