Chemicals

Since 1 January 2010, Wallonia has been responsible for the declaration aspect of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

The Convention specifies obligations for companies in the chemical industry and for commercial operators with specific activities involving chemicals.

Test tube_chapo - AdobeStock_627825854.copy.jpeg (Flask test tubes with chemical laboratory tests stand on a glass table. Generative AI)

What is the Chemical Weapons Convention? 

The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an international convention designed to combat the threat posed by chemical weapons. Its aim is to establish a global, comprehensive and verifiable ban on the creation, production, possession, stockpiling, transfer and use of these weapons, and to organise their destruction.

Ratified by Belgium, the Convention entered into force on 29 April 1997. By ratifying the convention, States Parties become members of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) and undertake to destroy their stockpiles of chemical weapons and accept strict conditions concerning the production and use of certain chemical substances.

Who does it concern?

Any operator who can answer "yes" to one of the following questions:

  1. In the last 3 years, has my establishment had any activities related to products in:
    1. Schedule 1, including possession? If so, please contact us.
      • Note: In principle, it is prohibited to manufacture, acquire, keep or use the substances in Schedule 1. Nevertheless, there are exceptions, in particular for medical purposes, research or protection against chemical weapons. Under certain conditions, the transfer of these substances from one State party to the Convention to another is permitted.
    2. in Schedule 2? The activities concerned are production, processing, use, import or export. If so, consult the page dedicated to Schedule 2.
    3. in Schedule 3? The activities concerned are production, import or export. If so, consult the page dedicated to Schedule 3.
  2. Has my establishment synthetically produced any defined organic chemicals (DOCs) in the last 3 years? If so, consult the page dedicated to DOCs and PSF.

If none of the above applies to your establishment (factory, site, etc.) you are not affected by the obligations of the Convention.