The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) outlaws an entire category of weapons of mass destruction and establishes an intrusive and highly complex implementation mechanism. The CWC will be the most important global arms control agreement. The Convention prohibits development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, and use of chemical weapons. Its prohibitions leave very few loopholes for would-be chemical warriors. Some deficiencies do exist, however, concerning the definition of chemical weapons and concerning the elimination of CWs. The verification system is based on declarations by the parties, routine verification and challenge inspections. The CWC is likely to have a positive impact on international trade in chemicals and related technology. The CWC will reduce much of the existing uncertainty about the future intentions and behaviour of states in the field of chemical warfare. Less uncertainty means more security - and that is the main goal of chemical disarmament. Excerpts of the CWC are printed as documentation to the article.
