Philip Coleman recently retired as executive manager of Protechnik Laboratories which is South Africa’s chemical and biological defence research laboratory.

He has been closely associated with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for the past 20 years. He served on the Scientific Advisory Board for 2 terms, the last as chairman. He currently serves on two Temporary Working Groups viz Convergence of Chemistry and Biology and Education and Outreach

The recent alleged use of chemical weapons by Syria, a non-signatory State, has focussed attention on the CWC.

This presentation will give an overview of the Convention which has now been signed by over 180 States. The relevance of the Convention to chemical Industry and chemical research laboratories will be outlined. The CWC differs from other non-proliferation Conventions in that it has an intrusive verification mechanism.

The relevance of the Convention to “practicing chemists” will be explained as well as the reason for import and export controls. All chemists should be aware of the provisions of the Convention and in many European countries the CWC is taught as a compulsory post graduate course at universities and local “chemical institutes” run information sessions on the Convention

Date:     Friday, 11 October 2013

Time:    11:30 - 12:30

Venue: The Avogadro (3.22) – Chemistry Building

CONTACT PERSON: Prof. Simon Lotz       [email protected]