Elimination of chemical weapons

What are chemical weapons?

Chemical weapons are chemicals used to cause intentional death or harm through their toxic properties. Munitions, devices and other equipment specifically designed to weaponise toxic chemicals also fall under the definition of chemical weapons.

Chemical weapons include:

Toxic chemicals which, through their chemical action on life processes, can cause death, temporary incapacitation or permanent harm to humans or animals.

Chemical reactants (precursors) which take part, at any stage and by whatever method, in the production of a toxic chemical.

Munitions and devices specifically designed to inflict harm or cause death through the release of toxic chemicals, including mortars, artillery shells, missiles, bombs, mines or spray tanks.

Equipment specifically designed for use directly in connection with the employment of munitions and devices identified as chemical weapons.

International ban on chemical weapons

Chemical Weapons Convention

The convention on the prohibition of the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons and on their destruction - known as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) - is an international treaty that aims to eliminate an entire category of weapon of mass destruction by prohibiting the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer or use of chemical weapons by states parties.

Established in 1997, it has193 state parties and was drawn up to promote a world free of chemical weapons.

All state parties have agreed to chemically disarm by destroying any stockpiles of chemical weapons they may hold and any facilities which produced them, as well as any chemical weapons they abandoned on the territory of other states parties in the past.

The CWC is one of the most successful disarmament arrangements in the world, with 99.4% of the declared chemical weapons stocks verifiably destroyed.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is the implementing body for the CWC.

The EU is a strong and active supporter of the CWC and the OPCW, and the biggest contributor of voluntary funding to its activities, including the prevention of the re-emergence of chemical weapons, capacity building of CWC states parties, the universalisation of CWC membership, and the fight against impunity for using chemical weapons.

The EU member states’ combined yearly assessed contributions account for around 25% of the OPCW’s regular annual budget.

The OPCW cooperates closely with the United Nations.

The European Union and the OPCW concluded a cooperation agreement in February 2024, in the form of a memorandum of understanding (MoU).

Under this agreement, the EU and the OPCW will increase their coordination, strategic cooperation and exchange of views and information to implement the CWC in its post-chemical weapons destruction phase.

The EU also supports enhancing the operational effectiveness of the OPCW by means of Council decisions of 25 November 2021 and 26 June 2023.

• Council decision of 26 June 2023 in support of enhancing the operational effectiveness of the OPCW (EU official journal)
• Council decision of 25 November 2021 in support of enhancing the operational effectiveness of the OPCW through satellite imagery (EU official journal)
• The EU and the OPCW step up cooperation (press release, European External Action Service, 21 February 2025)

EU commitment to countering chemical weapons

The EU actively works towards the total prohibition and elimination of chemical weapons worldwide, in line with the EU strategy against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. It is also committed to fighting against impunity for the use of the chemical weapons, including through the use of sanctions.

The EU is committed to supporting the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.

Council conclusions on chemical weapons

On 20 February 2023, the Council adopted conclusions on chemical disarmament and non-proliferation.

In the conclusions, the Council highlights that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons, by anyone, be it a state or a non-state actor, anywhere and under any circumstances is unacceptable and must be vigorously condemned.

The use of chemical weapons constitutes a breach of international law and may amount to a war crime or a crime against humanity. 

As there can be no impunity and those responsible for such acts must be held accountable, the EU and its member states are steadfast in their resolve to pursue their commitment to this cause, notably through the partnership against impunity for the use of chemical weapons.

The Council also believes that it is the international community’s responsibility to identify and hold accountable the perpetrators of any chemical weapons attack.

• Council conclusions on the 5th review conference of the chemical weapons (press release, 20 February 2023)
• EU strategy against proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
• Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

Sanctions against chemical weapons

As a deterrent against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, in October 2018, the EU adopted a dedicated sanctions framework. This sanctions framework was last extended until 16 October 2026.

The sanctions target those who:

• are directly responsible for the development and use of chemical weapons
• provide financial, technical or material support
• assist, encourage or are associated with those in the categories above

Currently 31 individuals and 6 entities are sanctioned within this framework. This current list of sanctioned individuals and entities is valid until 16 October 2026.

See also

• United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control (European External Action Service)
• Special envoy for non-proliferation and disarmament (European External Action Service)