Chemical Weapons Convention Overview
Learn about the Chemical Weapons Convention and stay updated on obligations, verification requirements, and key compliance deadlines.
Last updated on 30 October 2026
What is the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)?
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international treaty that prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, transfer, and use of chemical weapons and stipulates their timely destruction.
The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (opens in new tab) (OPCW) oversees the implementation of the CWC. This includes monitoring the implementation status of Member States’ (opens in new tab) conducting on-site verification measures, and providing a forum for consultation and cooperation amongst Member States.
Singapore ratified the CWC in May 1997. Singapore Customs is the designated National Authority (NA) for the CWC (NA(CWC)), acting as the national focal point for all CWC-related matters. The NA (CWC) liaises with the OPCW and other Member States, and administers the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act and its subsidiary legislation to ensure Singapore fully meets its obligations under the Convention.
General Obligations
Under the CWC, each Member State is required to undertake the following general obligations:
Never developing, producing, acquiring, stockpiling or transferring chemical weapons, directly or indirectly.
Never use chemical weapons under any circumstances.
Never engaging in military preparations to use chemical weapons.
Never assisting, encouraging or inducing, in any way, anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a Member State under this Convention.
Destroying all chemical weapons and related production facilities owned, possessed or located under its jurisdiction and control.
Destroying any chemical weapons abandoned on the territory of another Member State.
Not using riot control agents as a method of warfare.
Verification Regime
Member States must declare any chemical weapons-related activities, and industrial activities involving scheduled chemicals and facilities producing unscheduled discrete organic chemicals.
These declarations are the basis for data monitoring and on-site inspections conducted by the OPCW.
These inspections verify that the activities at the declared facilities are in line with both the CWC’s requirements and the submitted declarations. The verification regime plays a crucial role in building trust among Member States and deterring any potential non-compliance to the CWC.
Member States
Refer to explore the complete list of CWC Member States (opens in new tab).
Announcements
Stay updated with the latest Chemical Weapons Convention requirements and deadlines for declarations, licence renewals, and regulatory controls.
1 November 2026 – Chemical Weapon Convention Licence Renewal Exercise for 2027
The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) Licence Renewal Exercise for Year 2027 will commence from 1 Nov 2026 to 31 Dec 2026. Companies engaging in the controlled activities may submit the licence renewal applications by 31 Dec 2026. Please fill out the licence application forms which can be accessed from the Chemical Weapons Convention Forms section on the eServices (opens in new tab) webpage.
18 October 2023 – Joint Regulatory Control of Scheduled CWC Chemicals
From 21 August 2023, Singapore Customs, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) jointly regulate 47 scheduled CWC chemicals.
What has changed?
Companies handling these chemicals now fall under shared regulatory oversight of NEA, SCDF and Singapore Customs.
Threshold quantities and purities determine when licences/permits are required.
What must you do?
If you conduct controlled activities involving scheduled chemicals above exemption thresholds, you must apply for the relevant NEA/SCDF licence or permit.
Refer to the Joint Regulatory Control (opens in new tab) and the contact point(s) for both NEA/SCDF for more information.