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The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), an international disarmament treaty
banning chemical weapons, entered into force in 1997. Under the Convention,
countries that ratify the Convention that possess chemical weapons must destroy
their stockpiles, while countries without chemical weapons are prohibited
from acquiring them. As reported previously1, verification of
destruction activities falls under the auspices of the Organisation for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Like most countries, Australia does not possess chemical weapons. That said,
it is recognised that a number of chemicals produced or used for normal industrial,
medical or research purposes can also be used to produce chemical weapons.
Therefore, to provide assurance to the international community of compliance
with treaty obligations, each CWC Member country must declare information
on certain chemical activities to the OPCW, and permit routine inspections
of declared facilities by OPCW inspectors.
Specifically, the verification regime for non-prohibited activities is based
around monitoring of production, processing, consumption, import and export
of chemicals listed in three schedules in the Convention, and production of
unscheduled discrete organic chemicals.
Schedule 1 chemicals are highly toxic chemicals that have either been produced
and/or used as chemical warfare agents, such as sulphur and nitrogen mustards,
lewisites, nerve agents, or their precursors. Two toxins, ricin and saxitoxin,
are also included on the Schedule 1 list. In general, Schedule 1 chemicals
have limited legitimate use, although small quantities are produced and used
for research purposes in Australia. For example, the Aeronautical and Maritime
Research Laboratory (AMRL) of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation
(DSTO) synthesises small amounts these of chemicals for protective purpose
research, such as developing chemical agent detectors and protective clothing,
while a number of universities make small amounts during general chemical
research, for example nitrogen mustard in the preparation of nitrogen cage
complexes.
Most Schedule 2 chemicals are chemicals are precursors to Schedule 1
chemicals, although a small number have been developed specifically as toxic
chemical warfare agents (eg BZ). These chemicals are, however, used commercially.
For example, a number of Schedule 2 pentavalent phosphorus-based flame retardants
(eg dimethyl methylphosphonate) are precursors in the production of nerve
agents. Similarly, thiodiglycol, a precursor to sulphur mustard, is widely
used in the inks and dye industry.
Schedule 3 chemicals include common industrial chemicals that have either
been used as warfare agents or are precursors to Schedule 1 chemicals. Examples
include phosgene and hydrogen chloride, which have were used as chemical weapons
during World War I, and triethanolamine, a precursor to nitrogen mustard.
Given their wide industrial application, the verification regime for facilities
producing Schedule 3 chemicals is less intrusive than that operating for facilities
working with either Schedule 1 or Schedule 2 chemicals.
CWC implementation in Australia
Australias CWC obligations are implemented primarily through the Chemical
Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1994. Under the Act, the Australian Safeguards
and Non-Proliferation Office (ASNO) has been established to ensure Australia
complies with treaty obligations, including through the preparation of bi-annual
declarations, the facilitation of OPCW inspections, the monitoring of chemical
activities in Australia, and the conducting of national compliance inspections.
In order to collect information necessary for declaration purposes, and to
meet additional national security obligations, a system of permits and notifications
administered by ASNO has been established under the Act. Put simply, production
and/or use of Scheduled chemicals above specified thresholds is prohibited
unless a permit is first obtained, while annual notifications for the production
of relevant unscheduled discrete organic chemicals is also required.
Under the Customs Act 1901, theimport and export of CWC Scheduled
chemicals is likewise prohibited unless a permit is first obtained. Permits
to import Scheduled chemicals are issued by ASNO, while the Department of
Defence is responsible for export permits.
State of Play in Australia
Australia has approximately 60 declarable facilities either producing or
processing CWC Scheduled chemicals and/or relevant unscheduled discrete organic
chemicals. Interesting, some of these facilities are found outside the traditional
chemical industry. For example, a number of polyurethane foam producers and
fabric manufacturers use Schedule 2 phosphorus-based flame retardants in their
production processes. To ensure non-diversion of these chemicals for chemical
weapons purposes, activities with these chemicals are closely monitored.
To date Australia has hosted eight routine inspections by the OPCW. Of these
three have taken place at AMRL. The remaining five inspections have been
at commercial facilities producing or processing Scheduled chemicals. While
the length of the inspection can vary from anywhere between two to four days,
depending on the type of facility being inspected, industry have been keen
to co-operate, and have not found the inspection process overly burdensome.
All inspections have proceeded smoothly: OPCW inspectors have been able to
fulfil their inspection mandate, while ASNO has been able to ensure the protection
of confidential information and that commercial activities were not unduly
affected.
Promoting International Cooperation
In addition to these compliance activities, the CWC also promotes international
cooperation in the peaceful uses of chemistry amongst member countries. To
this end, on 4 May 2001, the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the OPCW
will co-host a symposium which aims to raise awareness of the CWC in Australia,
and to encourage greater regional cooperation amongst chemists. The symposium
will be open to participants from Australia, South-East Asia and the South-Pacific,
including representatives from academia, industry and government.
Additional Information
Further information on the CWC can be found by either contacting ASNO direct
(tel: (02) 6261 1920; fax: (02) 6261 1908).
Reference
1. Robert Mathews, Chemistry in Australia, Jan-Feb 2001,
pp 32 - 33
Dr Geoffrey Shaw, MRACI, is Head, CWC Implementation at the Australian Safeguards
and Non-Proliferation Office. Email geoffrey.shaw@dfat.gov.au.
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