1. Identification of Scheduled chemicals
REGIONAL TRAINING COURSE FOR CUSTOMS AUTHORITIES OF STATES PARTIES IN ASIA ON TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE TRANSFERS REGIME OF THE CHEMICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION
New Delhi, India, December 2012
Identification of Scheduled chemicals
Introduction
Daniel Cardozo
Consultant 1

2. By the end of this session participants should:
Objectives
By the end of this session participants should:
Be aware of the difficulties faced in identifying chemicals - particularly by non chemists
Understand the most common identifiers used for identifying scheduled chemicals 2

3. IDENTIFICATION OF CHEMICALS
It seems elementary, but SPs should first of all to identify chemicals for controlling and submitting information to OPCW
To control transfers and to collect data, chemicals have to be identified by Customs 3

4. Identification of Scheduled chemicals: Packaging
Chemicals are difficult to identify for non-chemists
They can be packaged in many different forms 4

5. Identification of Scheduled chemicals: Physical Appearance
Scheduled chemicals cannot be identified purely from their physical appearance
Mainly colourless or yellow liquids, like thousands of other traded chemicals 5

6. Identification of Scheduled chemicals: Analysis
Samples can be taken and analysed at a lab or sometimes on site, but:
Costly
Causes delays
Need appropriate equipment and expertise 6

7. Identification of Scheduled chemicals
Sampling and analysis can only be for suspect cases or on an occasional random basis – cannot sample every chemical product being imported or exported
Vast majority of Scheduled chemicals transferred for legitimate purposes
Hence the identity will not be concealed
But the importer/exporter may not be aware chemical is covered by the CWC.
Hence on routine basis customs officers need to use chemical identifiers to identify transfers that need further examination. 7

8. Common Chemical Identifiers
Name: Many different names for same chemical e.g. IUPAC name, CAS name, trade names, common names
Chemical Structure
Molecular Formula
Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) Registry Number
UN number
Harmonized System (HS) Code 8 8

9. Chemical Identifiers – Name (1)
Trietanolamina
,2',2''-Nitrilotriethanol
,2',2''-Nitrilotris[ethanol]
Alkanolamine 244
Daltogen
Ethanol, 2,2',2''-nitrilotri-
Ethanol, 2,2',2''-nitrilotris-
Nitrilotriethanol
Sterolamide
Sting-Kill 9

10. Chemical Identifiers – Name (2)
Trietanolamina
TEA
TEA (amino alcohol)
TEOA
Triethanolamin
Triethanolamine
Tris(.beta.-hydroxyethyl)amine
tris-(2-Hydroxyethyl)amine
Tris(2-hydroxyethyl)amine
Trolamine 10

11. Chemical Identifiers: Chemical StructureOH HO
Unique identifier BUT
Difficult for non chemists
Not easily searchable
Normally not included in customs clearance documentation 11

12. Chemical Identifiers – Molecular Formula
C6H15NO3
Gives the number of each type of atom in a molecule
NO information on how these atoms are connected
Many different chemicals have the SAME molecular formula
hence utility is limited for identification 12 12

13. Chemical Identifiers: CAS Numbers
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) is a division of the American Chemical Society. It maintains the CAS registry, a comprehensive database of chemical substances: over 60 million currently
Each substance receives a UNIQUE CAS registry number with format xxxxxxx-yy-z
1 digit
Up to 7 digits
2 digits 13

14. Chemical Identifiers: UN Number
Used for the classification of dangerous goods being transported
Useful in some cases but most Scheduled chemicals do not have unique UN number and are covered under a category with other chemicals which pose similar hazards

15. Other Chemical Identifiers
Other systems for identification of chemicals available but most relatively complex and not heavily used by industry or traders, hence utility for us is limited. E.g.
SMILES (simplified molecular input line entry specification)
OCCN(CCO)CCO
InChI (International Chemical Identifier from IUPAC)
InChI=1/C6H15NO3/c (2-5-9)3-6-10/h8-10H,1-6H2

16. Where to find these identifiers?
Packaging and Labelling
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Intended to provide health and safety data
Can provide useful information on composition
Normally includes names, CAS numbers and other identifiers

17. Critical Identifier for Customs
Harmonized System Code

18. Thank you
Any Questions?