Arms control C

Within its Chemistry Section, the SPIEZ LABORATORY has a designed Arms Control position which deals with measures to control the export and procurement of chemical weapons, and is responsible for the implementation of the relevant multilateral treaties, such as the Australia Group export control regime and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The main work of the Arms Control position is the provision of specialist advice to Swiss delegations during international negotiations and to federal bodies in charge of overseeing the implementation of the CWC in Switzerland.

The Arms Control takes part in meetings of the SECO-led export control group which, as its name suggests, is in charge of controlling the trade in dual-use goods.
The Arms Control is a member of the CWC National Authority, which is headed up by the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).
The Arms Control is the reporting centre for all chemical industry declarations required by the CWC.
The Arms Control advises the Swiss chemical industry on CWC inspections and is part of the escort team during the OPCW inspections.
The Arms Control advises the political secretariat of the FDFA on multilateral negotiations within the Australia Group and within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague (OPCW), which is the implementing body of the CWC.

Dr. Beat Schmidt

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