Tools and Incentives for Implementing Codes of Ethics to Help Prevent the Reemergence of Chemical Weapons

Abstract

Since 1997, when the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) entered into force and the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) was established, >97% of the world’s declared stockpile, comprising 70,372 t of chemical warfare agents, has been destroyed. Despite this notable progress, advances in chemical synthesis bring new challenges to preventing chemical weapons production. The development of ethical codes or guidelines such as The Hague Ethical Guidelines and the Global Chemists’ Code of Ethics (GCCE) and their voluntary adoption by chemical practitioners worldwide are important steps in strengthening international nonproliferation efforts through their potential to impact the intent of the individual by normalizing ethical behavior. However, the simple act of adopting a code or implementing Responsible Care initiatives does not guarantee ethical behavior. Individuals’ decisions often contribute to the seriousness of chemical incidents and accidents, even if the root causes are shortfalls in safety and/or security. History is replete with accounts of chemical incidents that were made worse due to ethics failures at the individual and/or corporate level. The cost associated with response and root cause investigations for such incidents can be massive, but knee-jerk reactions to push for more regulation or to establish more oversight mechanisms following the immediate impact and initial cleanup may require significantly more resources to execute. At their core, ethics failures often arise, at least partially, due to a lack of shared investment in the company’s mission. When people are guided by a shared mission, they are more likely to bring a sense of professionalism to their work and to hold each other accountable for ethical behavior. Scenario-based training can provide new employees opportunities to practice acting ethically, but it takes time and money to organize in-person training events. Careful implementation of scenario-based e-learning to teach behavioral expectations that compel trainees to practice and discuss ethics, however, can provide a meaningful way to ensure employees are provided the necessary opportunities to rehearse ethical behavior, regardless of where they are physically located. As individuals become comfortable identifying and standing up for what is right, they strengthen their resolve to act when issues arise in the future. Company managers and university professors alike have a duty to educate others on the importance of ethical behavior, capitalize on teachable moments to help others understand the principles behind the desired behaviors, encourage others to speak up and act when they see something wrong, and model the behaviors they seek. In so doing, they may actively participate in making the world a better place and minimize the potential for the reemergence of chemical weapons.