CWC NATIONAL AUTHORITY HEALTH CHECK
A confidential readiness snapshot for National Authorities
implementing the Chemical Weapons Convention.
National Authorities carry significant responsibility for ensuring that national implementation arrangements under the Chemical Weapons Convention remain credible, effective and responsive to evolving chemical industries and regulatory expectations.
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The CWC National Authority Health Check provides a short, structured review that identifies strengths, highlights any material gaps, and offers practical recommendations to strengthen implementation.
Why National Authorities undertake a Health Check
National implementation frameworks are often developed over many years. Changes in legislation, institutional responsibilities, chemical industries and inspection practices can gradually create gaps or inefficiencies.
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A Health Check helps National Authorities:
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confirm that legal and policy frameworks remain current
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ensure declarations and inspection arrangements are robust
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strengthen inter-agency coordination and industry engagement
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identify practical improvements before issues arise
THE THREE
READINESS PILLARS
How the process works
Typical duration: 4–6 weeks.
What you receive
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An executive summary for senior officials
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An implementation readiness scorecard
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A prioritised action plan
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Optional support for strengthening specific areas if requested
Costs anD approach
Each Health Check is scoped to the specific context, size and complexity of the National Authority. The level of effort is proportionate to the scope and nature of the engagement, including whether the review is desk-based or includes targeted in-country engagement at your request.
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We are mindful of the financial constraints within which government organisations operate, and structure our engagements to be proportionate, focused and deliver clear practical value.
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The engagement is delivered on a clear and transparent fee basis, which is discussed and agreed following an initial introductory call.
The team
Mark Albon
Former Director of
International Cooperation and Assistance, OPCW
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Mark Albon is a senior multilateral diplomat and executive with 30+ years of experience in chemical weapons non-proliferation. He served as Director for International Cooperation and Assistance at the OPCW, where he led global CWC compliance and capacity-building programmes. He was part of the OPCW team awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013. Mark also successfully led investigations into chemical weapons use in Syria as Head of the UN-OPCW Joint Investigative Mechanism.
He holds an MBA in Corporate Governance and brings a practitioner’s perspective on treaty implementation, diplomatic strategy, and organisational transformation.
Robert fairweather, OBE
Former Chief of Cabinet, OPCW​
Bob Fairweather is a veteran former British diplomat with over 30 years' experience in diplomacy, crisis response and conflict mediation. From 2011 to 2018, Bob was Chief of Cabinet to the OPCW Director-General, managing high-level investigations and international diplomacy during a volatile period marked by chemical weapons use in Syria and Salisbury in the UK. He was part of the OPCW team awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He has advised the UK Government on OPCW policy and is respected for his calm judgement, discretion and ability to operate effectively in politically charged environments.
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They are supported by practitioners with vast experience in OPCW legal affairs, inspections, declarations management and national implementation support.
