Research issues

States today place greater emphasis on the threats posed by non-state actors and no longer publicly maintain (or perceive) that engaging in chemical warfare is viable or a morally acceptable military option, including for retaliatory purposes. Verification concepts and procedures also continue to be appraised in light of continuing scientific and technological developments, including for sampling and analysis purposes and in terms of how chemical industry is structured and run.

In order to better appreciate the various mechanisms (potential and actual) relevant to the oversight of chemicals, it is necessary to consider a range of definitions, terms, actors, procedures, mechanisms and regimes. SIPRI is carrying out a number of research projects on various related historical, legal, technical and political aspects connected to maintaining and promoting effective verification of the international prohibition against chemical warfare, including the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, challenges posed by dumped munitions and the regulatory framework for the control and oversight of transfers of chemicals by various legal regimes (including those for human environmental safety).