On 22 March 2018, the European Council concluded that the use of chemical weapons, including the use of any toxic chemicals as weapons under any circumstances, is completely unacceptable, must be systematically and rigorously condemned, and constitutes a security threat to us all. 

On 15 October 2018 the EU Council adopted restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons. This decision provides for travel restrictions and the freezing of funds and economic resources of certain persons, entities or bodies that are responsible for, provide financial, technical or material support for, or are otherwise involved in, manufacturing or using chemical weapons or engaging in preparations for the use of chemical weapons, as well as those who assist or encourage such activities.

The EU Regulation, following the Decision, supports the 2003 EU Strategy against Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, as well as the international framework regarding the proliferation of chemical weapons: the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction (‘CWC’), the Decision of the Conference of the States Parties to the CWC addressing the threat from chemical weapons use, adopted on 27 June 2018, the Australia Group, ‘the Proliferation Security Initiative’ and the International Partnership against the Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons. This Regulation also supports the implementation of relevant UNSC Resolutions, notably Resolutions 1540 (2004), 2118 (2013), 2209 (2015), 2235 (2015) and 2325 (2016).

The sanctions are directed against natural and entities who are responsible for, provide financial, technical or material support for or are otherwise involved in manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, developing, transporting, stockpiling or transferring chemical weapons, using chemical weapons, or engaging in any preparations for the use of chemical weapons. Are also targeted persons which assist, encourage or induce, in any way, any engagement in such activity and thereby cause or contribute to a danger that such activities may be carried out, as well as all persons associated with  listed persons.

Restrictive measures

Trade sanctions: Restricted products and transactions

There are currently no trade related sanctions in that legal framework.

Financial sanctions: Listed persons & entities, restricted services

There are currently 25 persons and 3 entities on the list of people whose funds and economic resources are frozen.

Other sanctions

EU Member States must prevent the entry into. or transit through, their territories of the listed persons.

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Legal texts

Council Decision 2018/1544/CFSP of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons

Council Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 of 15 October 2018 concerning restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons

Related information

Information will follow.