International convention opened for signature January 13, 1993; entered into force April 29, 1997. Prohibits States Parties from developing; producing; otherwise acquiring, stockpiling, or retaining chemical weapons (CW); transferring CW, directly or indirectly, to anyone; using CW; engaging in military preparations to use CW; using riot control agents as a method of warfare; or assisting, encouraging, or inducing anyone to engage in any activity prohibited under the Convention. Requires States Parties to destroy CW they own or possess, or are located anywhere under their jurisdiction or control; destroy all CW they abandoned on the territories of other States Parties; and destroy or convert any CW production facilities they own or possess. In addition, the Convention monitors non-prohibited chemical activities through industry declarations and on-site inspections.