The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) organised proficiency testing training to enhance the analytical capacities of laboratories from OPCW Member States in the Latin America and the Caribbean (GRULAC) region. The course was delivered by the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) from 7 to 18 March.
The course focused on the strategies and procedures required to pass OPCW Proficiency Tests, which is the primary requirement for a laboratory to obtain and maintain OPCW Designated Laboratory status.
The training programme was organised under the framework of the OPCW project titled "Assessing and enhancing the capacity of analytical laboratories from African and GRULAC Member States to achieving OPCW designation" and was funded by a voluntary contribution from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. This project offers e-learning, online coaching, and operational support to laboratories participating in the Chemical Weapons Convention Chemical Analysis Competency Testing.
The training was attended by 14 participants from four laboratories in Brazil and Chile.
Background
As the implementing body for the Chemical Weapons Convention, the OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavour to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since the Convention's entry into force in 1997, it is the most successful disarmament treaty eliminating an entire class of weapons of mass destruction.
Over 99% of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its extensive efforts in eliminating chemical weapons, the OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.
