ICCA Statement on The Hague Ethical Guidelines
A strong supporter of the Chemical Weapons Convention, ICCA maintains a constant dialogue with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Convention. It is also a member of the group of chemistry practitioners created by the OPCW to promote peaceful uses of chemistry for the benefit of all.
This group of 39 scientists and chemistry professionals from 29 countries produced the ‘The Hague Ethical Guidelines’ https://www.opcw.org/special-sections/science-technology/the-hague-ethical-guidelines/ intended to build understanding among the science community and between scientists and society about the culture and practice of responsible science. Disseminating the Guidelines more widely is key to achieving this goal and they have been endorsed by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) https://iupac.org/blog/2016/05/04/iupac-endorses-the-hague-ethical-guidelines/.
ICCA’s Responsible Care Leadership Group has analysed the guidelines carefully with respect to Responsible Care. It has produced a benchmark table (link) and sent the Guidelines to all its members with the recommendation that they take note of them, disseminate them further, and reference them on their websites.
About the Chemical Weapons Convention
Since its establishment in 1997 the Chemical Weapons Convention has overseen the destruction of over 90% of the world’s declared stockpiles of chemical weapons. It has now expanded to encompass 192 nations and is the most widely subscribed disarmament and non-proliferation treaty in the world. The cooperation embodied in it supports not only the safe and secure elimination of chemical weapons but also the promotion of peaceful uses of chemistry.