OPCW opens new chemical research lab

Built with contributions from 57 members of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and other donors, including chemical societies such as the KNCV and EuChemS, the centre was constructed with a budget of €34 million. It provides modern and advanced facilities for research into chemical weapons and for monitoring the peaceful use of chemicals.

The ChemTech Centre, situated alongside the A12 in Nootdorp, was established to meet new challenges facing the OPCW. These include halting the production of chemical weapons by non-state entities and preventing attempts at the covert deployment of chemical weapons. The centre will enable the OPCW to focus more on chemical weapons forensics and on monitoring the production of dual-use chemicals that can be deployed for military purposes. This concerns, for example, chemicals such as thiodiglycol, which is used both in the production of pesticides, plastics and dyes in industry, and in the manufacture of mustard gas. The centre will also offer the opportunity to study new chemical weapons and the potential use of artificial intelligence in the production of such weapons.

In addition to the enhanced research facilities, the ChemTech Centre will also provide more laboratory space for training purposes.

The OPCW plays a crucial role in ridding the world of chemical weapons. As a supervisory body, the OPCW carries out inspections worldwide to monitor the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles. In addition, the OPCW investigates alleged use of chemical weapons and oversees the peaceful use of chemicals. The aim of the CWC is to create a world free of chemical weapons. Currently, 193 countries have joined the convention.

In 2013, the OPCW was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its efforts to eliminate chemical weapons. The organisation strives for credibility and impartiality in its work, as the results of its inspections must be beyond all doubt.