International proliferation and arms control regimes
Export Controls are not just a UK issue but a worldwide concern. The UK's current export control legislation is derived and updated as a result of the UK's international commitments. This page provides an overview of the main international treaties and regime organisations which influence policy and legislation in the UK and overseas.
The UK has export control obligations under a number of international agreements, conventions and treaties. From these pages you can find out more information on about both international treaties and international regimes.
International Treaties
Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)
The NPT dates from 1968 and commits the 5 "official" nuclear weapon states (USA, UK, France, Russia and China) to not transferring nuclear weapons or technology to others or assisting, encouraging or introducing their manufacture or acquisition. The other signatories of the NPT, the non-nuclear weapon states, have undertaken not to acquire nuclear weapons and to accept monitoring of their civil nuclear programmes by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Over 180 countries are signatories of the NPT.
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC)
In force since 1975, the BTWC bans the development, production, stockpiling, acquisition and use of bacteriological (biological) and toxin weapons and provides for the destruction of existing weapons.
For more information see the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention website.
Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
The CWC entered into force in 1997. It bans the possession, development, stockpiling, transfer and use of chemical weapons, and provides for the destruction of existing weapons and their means of production.
A full current list of member states can be found on the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemicals website.
See also the Non-Proliferation section of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC)'s website, where there is further information about Chemical, Biological and Nuclear Weapons and DECC's activity in this area.
International Regimes
To complement these legally binding treaties, like-minded countries have set up informal groups to work together against the threat of the proliferation of weapons of mass destrution (WMD) and arms proliferation. Their work involves drawing up common lists of goods and technology considered relevant to the activity of proliferators and agreeing to control exports of these. Many countries are now involved. See the List of Non-Proliferation Regime Members
The key international groups are:
The aim of this group is to harmonise export control measures aimed at curtailing the unhindered proliferation of chemical weapons.
The MTCR is an informal and voluntary association of countries that share the goal of non-proliferation of unmanned delivery systems of WMD.
This committee is responsible for drawing up detailed lists of items on the nuclear control list.
This is the body responsible for making sure nuclear export controls work in practice.
This group was established with the aim of promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies.
Export Control Organisation
Updated: March 2010
