Chemical company fined for export of nerve gas precursor chemical - amendment
In July 2005, ARC Ltd exported 100g of 2-diisopropylaminoethyl chloride hydrochloride (also known as DCH) and 10g of hafnium, with a total value of around £60. DCH can be used as a pre-cursor to VX nerve gas. Hafnium can be used in the production of nuclear control rods. Both chemicals were exported without a necessary license to a broker in Egypt, a non-signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
(PressZoom) - Avocado Research Chemicals Ltd (ARC Ltd) were fined £600 and ordered to pay £100 costs today after pleading guilty at Lancaster Magistrates' Court to the unlawful exportation of a controlled chemical substance.
In July 2005, ARC Ltd exported 100g of 2-diisopropylaminoethyl chloride hydrochloride (also known as DCH) and 10g of hafnium, with a total value of around £60. DCH can be used as a pre-cursor to VX nerve gas. Hafnium can be used in the production of nuclear control rods. Both chemicals were exported without a necessary license to a broker in Egypt, a non-signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC)
In July 2006 ARC Ltd submitted its annual return of exports of chemicals covered by the CWC to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), who noticed that ARC did not have the relevant export license for DCH and Hafnium. ARC Ltd subsequently made voluntary declarations to DTI in relation to both chemicals. The case was referred to the Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO), the authority responsible for prosecuting non-licensed exports.
A subsequent internal investigation at ARC Ltd concluded that the failure to apply for an export license or stop the export was a result of human error.
David Green QC, Director of RCPO said:
"Today's successful result shows how important it is for companies to make sure that correct exporting procedures are in place. ARC Ltd did the right thing once they noticed their mistake and contacted the authorities. But other companies should note that, even in a case where small quantities and genuine human error are involved, some action must be taken. The unlicensed export of potentially lethal substances is too serious to be ignored at any level."
Notes to Editors
1. The Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) is an arms control agreement which outlaws the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons. Its full name is the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on their Destruction.
2. The Revenue & Customs Prosecutions Office (RCPO) was created by Royal Assent on 18 April 2005. An independent prosecuting authority, RCPO is superintended by the Attorney General, and is responsible for prosecuting some of the largest drug and fraud cases in the UK.
Submitted by
GOVERNMENT NEWS NETWORK GNN
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