- Analysis of samples from all over the world (PDF, 3.7 MB)
- Different Methods for Rapid Identification of Ricin from Castor Bean Extracts by MALDI-MS and ESI-MS (PDF, 201 KB)
- Internationally recognised verification laboratory for chemical warfare agents (PDF, 1.78 MB)
- LC-MS Screening and Identification of CWA in Environmental Samples using LC/MS and a MS/MS-Library (PDF, 1.78 MB)
- LC/MS Techiques for Screeening and Identification of Degradation Products of Nerve Agents (PDF, 202 KB)
- Technology and Methodology for CWA Verification Analysis (PDF 4.15 MB)
OPCW Designated Laboratory
The Chemical Weapons Convention on the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Following tough negotiations at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva, the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) was presented for signature in Paris in January 1993. This convention prohibits the development, production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons (CW) and calls for the destruction of existing chemical weapons and production facilities. After a sufficient number of signatory states had ratified the convention, it entered into force in 1997, whereby the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) with headquarters in The Hague / The Netherlands was created to implement the verification regime of the CWC.
The path toward an OPCW Designated Laboratory
SPIEZ LABORATORY has participated in international inter-laboratory proficiency tests in the framework of chemical disarmament since 1989.
- 1989-1994: Participation in the so-called "Round Robin Tests" for the development and validation of standard operating procedures (SOP) for testing samples for the presence of chemical warfare agents and related compounds.
- 1994-1995: Participation in the "Interlaboratory Comparison Tests" for the further development of the SOPs and for the comparison of the capabilities of the participating laboratories.
- From 1996: Participation in the "OPCW Interlaboratory Proficiency Tests" for the establishment of a network of competent OPCW Designated Laboratories.
- 1998: SPIEZ LABORATORY is named one of the first OPCW Designated Laboratories worldwide after passing all the OPCW Proficiency Tests with the top grades.
- Today (2012) the network comprises approx. 20 Designated Laboratories worldwide.
Support for the OPCW
We support the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in the implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC).
We operate an OPCW Designated Laboratory and we analyse authentic samples from OPCW inspections.- We support the OPCW Laboratory in Proficiency Testing.
- We significantly contribute to the expansion of the OPCW Central Analytical Database (OCAD), which is the reference library for OPCW on-site analysis.