“Switzerland seeks to prevent further proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons of mass destruction and to achieve their complete abolition.” (Report 2010 of the Federal Council on Switzerland’s Security Policy)

Switzerland attaches great importance to international arms control and non-proliferation efforts. As an institute serving the interests of national and international security, we are deeply committed to mitigating the threat posed by weapons of mass destruction. We support the implementation and preparation of international treaties of disarmament and arms control with the following services:

• Technical Advice for DDPS, FDFA and EAER
• Expertise for Swiss delegations in international disarmament and export control negotiations
• Technical representation of Swiss interests in international disarmament and export control negotiations
• Expertise for Swiss export control agencies
• Participation in measurement, field and table-top exercises
• Implementation of allocated tasks within the scope of national authorities
• Statements on inter-agency consultations
• Increase awareness for the dual-use issue

With our conference series Spiez CONVERGENCE, we have created an information and discussion platform on the latest advances and trends in science and technology as well as the convergence of different disciplines with potentially far-reaching consequences for the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) as well as the export control regimes.

Contact: Dr. Cédric Invernizzi

Arms control for nuclear weapons

We advise Swiss delegations in negotiations as well as federal authorities entrusted with the implementation of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation treaties. This includes serving as experts in the framework of the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Based on our access to the CTBTO-International Monitoring System’s (IMS) measurement data, we follow the measurements and data products of the International Data Centre (IDC). In the case of a nuclear event, its global network of around 80 radionuclide monitoring stations quickly provides relevant information.

In the area of nuclear forensics we deal with the attribution of radioactive samples or fissile material to their origins or their manufacturer.

Contact: Dr. Christoph Wirz

Arms control for biological weapons

We are engaged in disarmament, arms control for biological weapons and export control measures for dual-use goods, as well as the implementation of treaties such as the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) or the Australia Group’s export control regime. The focus lies on advising Swiss delegations in negotiations, as well as supporting the federal authorities entrusted with the implementation of these treaties. In particular, we are responsible for Switzerland’s annual reporting to the States Parties to the BTWC within the framework of confidence-building measures. We participate in the negotiations on the Australia Group and support the national authorities in ensuring implementation of and compliance with the export control regimes.

With our activities in the area of the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism (UNSGM), we are building up a laboratory network that addresses forensic issues in order to be able to assign deliberately used pathogens to an origin.

Contact: Dr. Maximilian Brackmann

Arms control for chemical weapons

We are responsible for export control and arms control measures that mitigate the spread or production of chemical weapons and support the implementation of multilateral agreements. Our core mission includes providing technical advice to Swiss delegations as well as to federal authorities entrusted with the implementation of these treaties. In particular, we are part of the national authority of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) under the auspices of the FDFA and head the reporting office for the chemical industry for declarations in accordance with the requirements of the CWC. We advise the chemical industry on OPCW routine inspections in Switzerland and provide technical support.

Contact: Dr. Beat Schmidt