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Biological and Chemical Weapons

Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation at a Glance

Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC):

Opened for Signature: January 13, 1993
Entered into Force: April 29, 1997
Ratifications: 153
Ratification advised by the U.S. Senate: April 24, 1997
Deposit of U.S. Ratification: April 25, 1997
The Chemical Weapons Convention is a multilateral treaty of unprecedented scope and complexity that will prohibit the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, and use of chemical weapons. In addition, the treaty mandates the destruction of all declared chemical weapons and facilities within 10 years of the CWC's entry into force.

  • More about the CWC and related bilateral treaties
  • Signatories and Ratifications of the CWC

    Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BWC):

    Opened for Signature: April 10, 1972
    Entered into Force: March 26, 1975
    Ratification Advised by the U.S. Senate: December 16, 1974
    Deposit of U.S. Ratification: March 26, 1975
    Ratifications: 146
    The BWC prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, or acquisition of biological agents or toxins of any type or quantity that do not have protective, medical, or other peaceful purposes, or any weapons or means of delivery for such agents or toxins. According to the treaty, all such materiel is to be destroyed within nine months of the treaty's entry into force.

    The BWC's lack of verification provisions left states the option of monitoring through National Technical Means (e.g., satellite). The CWC, often viewed as the model for the BWC's revision, includes unprecedented on-site verification provisions. At review conferences held every five years, states participating in the BWC gather to discuss issues of concern. Several working groups of experts have been meeting in preparation for this event. One group of experts called VEREX, was created in 1991 to examine possible verification measures for the treaty. Another, the Ad Hoc Group, was formed in 1994 to consider various methods that may be used to strengthen the BWC. Negotiations toward a verification protocol continue, with a goal of completing it by the next treaty review conference in 2001.

  • Text of the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
  • Signatories and Ratifications of the BWC

    Protocol for the Prohibition of the Use in War of Asphyxiating, Poisonous or Other Gases, and of Bacteriological Methods of Warfare (The Geneva Protocol):

    Opened for Signature: June 17, 1925
    Entered into Force: February 8, 1928
    Ratification Advised by the U.S. Senate: December 16, 1974
    Deposit of U.S. Ratification: April 10, 1975
    The Geneva Protocol prohibits the use of all asphyxiationg, poisonous, or other gases; all similar liquids, materials, or devices; and all methods of bacteriological warfare during war.

  • Text of the Geneva Protocol
  • Parties to the Geneva Protocol

    The Australia Group:
    Formed by Australia: 1984
    First Meeting: June 1985
    Current Members: 30+1 Observer
    The Australia Group is an informal and voluntary consortium of nations, founded as a result of chemical weapons use in the Iran-Iraq War, whose goal is the limitation of chemical and biological weapons proliferation. Members meet annually to share information about proliferation dangers and to harmonize national export controls in an effort to curb the transfer of materials or equipment that could be used in the creation of chemical or biological weapons. The group has created lists of both items whose export should be controlled, as well as "warning" lists of items whose purchase could be indicative of proliferation activities. With no formal charter or constitution, the Australia Group works by consensus.

  • Members of the Australia Group
  • Australia Group Common Control List

    (UK-US-Russian) Joint Statement on Biological Weapons
    Meeting Held in Moscow, September 10-11, 1992
    In a joint statement issued at the conclusion of a trilateral meeting, the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Russian Federation affirmed their commitment to full compliance with the 1972 BWC. In order to address concerns about compliance, the states agreed on reciprocal measures to remove any ambiguities. Measures include reciprocal visits to military and non-military biological facilities, and the convening of expert groups to ensure continued compliance.

    U.S. and U.K. officials visited Russian sites in October 1993 and January 1994. In February and March 1994, Russian officials visited three facilities in the United States and one in Britain.

  • Text of the Joint Statement

    India-Pakistan Agreement on Chemical Weapons

    Signed on: August 19, 1992

    Signed in 1992, the Agreement provides for "the complete prohibition of chemical weapons" and commits both governments to become regional signatories of the Chemical Weapons Convention. However, it does not commit India and Pakistan to ratify the CWC.

  • Text of Joint Declaration
  • Signatories and Ratifications of the Chemical Weapons Convention