THE HAGUE, Netherlands—8 April 2022—The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) organised a workshop to develop guidelines for the road transportation of hazardous chemicals together with the Wuppertal University of Germany.
From 4 to 6 April, 11 experts in chemical safety and security and the transportation of hazardous chemicals started developing guidelines that will support governments and industry in strengthening chemical safety and security measures during hazardous chemical transportation by road. During the 3-day meeting, the experts from around the globe brainstormed about how to develop the guidelines and shared best practices from their countries.
In opening the workshop, Dr Stefan Kordasch, Head of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Division of the Foreign Ministry of Germany, stressed Germany’s continued dedication to upholding the Chemical Weapons Convention and its support to the work of the OPCW. OPCW’s head of International Cooperation Branch reaffirmed, in his written message, the OPCW’s continued support to the effort of Member States in enhancing integrated chemicals management.
The Indicative Guidelines for Transportation of Hazardous Chemicals by Road will be developed through process that includes a series of consultations, workshops, and meetings.
The workshop is part of OPCW’s Chemical Safety and Security Tools Development Programme, which also developed and released the Indicative Guidelines for Chemical Safety and Security for Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) for Peaceful Use of Chemistry.
The workshop was attended by 11 participants from eight OPCW Member States: Brazil, Germany, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Philippines, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and United States of America.
Background
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention’s entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.