Annual CWC Report

The Department of Commerce published their annual request for information about the effects of the Chemical Weapons Convention Regulations (15 CFR parts 710-722) on commercial activities involving Schedule 1 chemicals. The DOC’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) needs this input to provide their annual report to Congress on the affects of the CWC implementation on the legitimate commercial activities and interests of chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical firms in the United States. ‘Schedule 1’ chemicals are those chemicals listed in Supplement 1 to 15 CFR 712. They are generally considered to be chemicals that can be used as chemical weapons or their direct precursors. The CWCR restrict commercial production of ‘Schedule 1’ chemicals to research, medical, or pharmaceutical purposes. The Federal Register ‘notice of inquiry’ (74 FR 58004) lists summarizes the specific restrictions placed on facilities that produce or use Schedule 1 chemicals. The BIS is requesting that comments be submitted by December 10th, 2009. They may be submitted by email (wfisher@bis.doc.gov), or delivered/mailed to: Willard Fisher U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security Regulatory Policy Division 14th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Room 2705 Washington, DC 20230