OPCW Regulations and Compliance Verification Course
Online 300-hour course in OPCW regulations and compliance verification. 6 modules covering the Chemical Weapons Convention (1993), Law 49/1999 on the control of chemicals liable to diversion for chemical weapons purposes and EDNA (Electronic Declaration Tool for National Authorities). Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Understand the historical and legal context of the prohibition of chemical weapons.
Interpret the obligations of the Convention and its schedules of substances.
Describe the structure and functioning of the OPCW.
Explain the regime of declarations and verification inspections.
Apply national and corporate compliance obligations.
Relate the CWC to export control regimes.
Develop a CWC compliance programme for a company.
Who it's for
- CWC compliance officer wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- National authority technician wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- Non-proliferation analyst wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- Compliance auditor in the chemical industry wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- Foreign trade manager for chemical products wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- Researcher in disarmament and arms control wishing to specialise in OPCW regulations and compliance verification.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the chemical industry.
What you'll work with
- Chemical Weapons Convention (1993)
- Law 49/1999 on the control of chemicals liable to diversion for chemical weapons purposes
- Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (dual-use)
- UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)
- Australia Group Guidelines
- Regulation (EC) 1907/2006 (REACH)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1History of chemical weapons use1.2Ypres 1915 and the 1925 Geneva Protocol1.3Cold War programmes1.4Halabja and the Iran-Iraq War1.5Tokyo attack of 19951.6Syria and documented use1.7Novichok poisonings1.8Principles of regulatory toxicology1.9Dual-use substances in industry1.10Workshop: timeline of the chemical disarmament regime
2.1Negotiation and entry into force in 19972.2General obligations (Article I)2.3General-purpose criterion2.4Schedules 1, 2 and 3 of the Annex on Chemicals2.5Initial and annual declarations2.6Destruction of stockpiles and its completion in 20232.7Old and abandoned chemical weapons2.8Activities not prohibited2.92019 amendment to the schedules2.10Practice: classifying substances according to the schedules
3.1Conference of the States Parties3.2Executive Council3.3Technical Secretariat3.4Designated laboratories3.5Chemistry and Technology Centre3.6National authorities3.7Spanish National Authority (ANPAQ)3.8International cooperation and assistance3.9Investigation and Identification Team (IIT)3.10Case study: IIT report on Syria
4.1Industrial verification regime4.2Inspections at Schedule 1 facilities4.3Schedule 2 and 3 inspections4.4Other production facilities (OCPF)4.5Challenge inspections4.6Investigation of alleged use4.7Fact-Finding Mission4.8Sampling, analysis and chain of custody4.9Confidentiality of commercial information4.10Laboratory: preparing a facility for inspection
5.1Law 49/1999 on chemical weapons control5.2Declarations by the chemical industry5.3Transfer controls and the Australia Group5.4Regulation (EU) 2021/821 and precursors5.5Internal compliance programmes5.6Training and chemical safety culture5.7Chemical ethics and The Hague Guidelines5.8Relationship with REACH and industrial safety5.9Penalties and criminal liability5.10Workshop: internal CWC compliance audit
6.1Selection of a study chemical facility6.2Identification of regulated substances6.3Determination of declaration obligations6.4Preparation of simulated declarations6.5Inspection preparation plan6.6Applicable export controls6.7Internal training programme6.8Compliance improvement plan6.9Report and presentation6.10Final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
100 % online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetable: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine the programme with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is EDNA (Electronic Declaration Tool for National Authorities), CAS SciFinder, SAP GTS, Advanced Excel, in free, academic or evaluation versions. The case studies are based on real procedures for preparing annual declarations, simulated verification inspections and compliance audits at chemical plants. Assessment is continuous, module by module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Understand the historical and legal context of the prohibition of chemical weapons.
Interpret the obligations of the Convention and its schedules of substances.
Describe the structure and functioning of the OPCW.
Explain the regime of declarations and verification inspections.
Apply national and corporate compliance obligations.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No previous degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient level of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is an average of 10 to 15 hours per week, compatible with a full-time job.
You will work with EDNA (Electronic Declaration Tool for National Authorities), CAS SciFinder, SAP GTS and Advanced Excel. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An own diploma from SEIUM upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. It is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the advanced programme. Check the recognition policy when you enrol.
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