Inspectorate Division
The Inspectorate Division (INS) implements the OPCW’s on-site verification activities, ensuring the efficient and effective deployment of inspection teams to both military and commercial facilities around the world, as required by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The Division maintains readiness to conduct Challenge Inspections and Investigations of Alleged Use upon requests from Member States in the event of a chemical incident.
For the INS to continue adapting for the future, special attention is given to enhancing synergies and to strengthening the Division as a unique body of international experts with expertise in supporting the operationalisation of the ChemTech Centre, cross-divisional initiatives and international cooperation activities under Article X and XI of the CWC.
The Division implements effective knowledge-management frameworks to ensure the preservation of knowledge and skills, and delivers training programmes to capitalise on the expertise gained in the last decades in contingency operations.
Inspection Team Personnel
The Inspection Team Personnel (ITP) holds all inspector resources. It operates with the goal of keeping an integrated and flexible task force, and ensures that inspectors are qualified, prepared, cross-trained and ready to be deployed to all types of missions and other operations such as planned verification activities, Technical Assistance Visits, Challenge Inspections, Investigations of Alleged Use, and any other non-routine missions as required.
In addition, the ITP focuses on implementing projects in areas related to developments in science and technology, especially in chemistry, and supports anticipated activities at the ChemTech Centre.
ITP is categorised in two units: the Industry and Technology Advancement Unit, and the Contingency and Chemical Demilitarisation Unit.
Industry and Technology Advancement Unit
The core work of the Industry and Technology Advancement Unit (ITA) is to perform field inspections at chemical facilities declared by State Parties under the Article VI of the CWC, and provides technical advice and support for inspections under Articles IV and V of the CWC and contingency operations.
ITA is also responsible for tracking developments of new chemical warfare agents and new means of manufacturing which serves the assessment of technological opportunities and tools for verification, particularly in training and modern equipment relevant to all types of missions.
Contingency and Chemical Demilitarisation Unit
The Contingency and Chemical Demilitarisation Unit (CCD) conducts routine inspections of Chemical Weapons Destruction Facilities, Chemical Weapons Storage Facilities, Chemical Weapons Production Facilities and their conversions, Old Chemical Weapon Facilities, and Abandoned Chemical Weapons Facilities, as mandated under Article IV and V of the CWC, as well as the Technical Assistance Visit Operations, Challenge Inspection and Investigation of Alleged Use, or other non-routine operation as required.
CCD also develops scientific and technical training programmes for INS and other Divisions, and for external training and capacity building programmes for contingency operations.
Programme Control and Monitoring Branch
The Programme Control and Monitoring Branch (CMB) ensures the implementation of programmatic deliverables and manages INS’s operational financial resources.
CMB continually pursues efficiencies and ensures that the INS remains flexible, agile and resourceful in the allocation of financial resources.
CMB is also responsible for monitoring all relevant data, formulating follow-up actions, setting and revising related standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other quality management files to strengthen the standardisation and preparedness of all routine and non-routine missions.
Operations and Technology Support Branch
The Operations and Technical Support Branch (OTSB) provides key support to all INS operations and technology initiatives. OTSB plans, coordinates and monitors inspections and training missions in the field, provides administrative, technical and logistical support in accordance with the quality assurance regime, and ensures timely and efficient procurement and maintenance of inspection equipment.
OTSB establishes and maintains communication with inspection teams and Member States during the conduct of inspections. It supports not only INS activities but also draw upon operational synergies with the ChemTech Centre.
OTSB’s Situation Centre provides 24-hour support, develops and maintains a comprehensive operating flow to ensure secure and reliable communications and provide information analysis to facilitate crisis management operations. The Situation Centre also provides situation briefings to the OPCW’s leadership to facilitate decision making.