A check conducted by NA(CWC) officers to verify that the facility has declared
correctly in its licence application and to brief the facility on preparations for national or
OPCW inspections.
An inspection conducted by NA(CWC) officers to verify that the facility is adhering to
the requirements of the NA(CWC) licence, in accordance with the obligations under
the Convention, consistent with its declarations to NA(CWC) and the absence of
Schedule chemical diversion.
Declared facilities in a State Party are subject to routine inspections by OPCW
inspectors. These will include all facilities for research, protective and civilian purposes
that are declared to OPCW. The general aim of the inspection is to verify that activities
are in accordance with obligations under the Convention and consistent with the
information provided in declarations. These are deemed to be co-operative events and
do not adopt an investigative approach.
Challenge inspections are designed for clarifications and resolving questions or doubts
concerning possible non-compliance with the Convention. A State Party is obligated to
accept the challenge and during which, may try to clarify or resolve any doubts to
prove its compliance.