Licensing Requirements Overview
Learn when a Chemical Weapons Convention licence is required for activities with scheduled chemicals and unscheduled discrete organic chemicals, including applicable exemptions.
Last updated 24 February 2026
Businesses intending to undertake controlled activities involving scheduled chemicals or unscheduled discrete organic chemicals (DOCs) must comply with licensing requirements administered by Singapore Customs.
When a CWC Licence is Required
You must obtain a CWC licence before carrying out any regulated activity involving scheduled chemicals or DOCs under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act.
Licensing requirements depend on:
The chemical schedule
The type of activity
The quantity produced or handled
The concentration/purity of the scheduled chemical
Activities That Require a CWC Licence
You must apply for a CWC licence before you intend to carry out any controlled activity involving scheduled chemicals under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act.
Definition of Controlled Activities
Controlled Activity | Definition |
Production | Formation through a chemical reaction or a biochemical or biologically mediated reaction. This includes forming it as an intermediate, by-product, or waste during manufacture. |
Processing | Physical process in which a chemical is not converted into another chemical. This includes formulation, extraction, or purification. |
Consumption | Conversion of any chemical(s) into another chemical via a chemical reaction. |
Import/Export | Import: The physical movement of a scheduled chemical into Singapore from another country (excluding transit operations). Export: The physical movement of a scheduled chemical out of Singapore into another country (excluding transit operations). |
Local Transfer/Distribution | Transfer of chemical between two locations within Singapore. |
Licensing requirements vary depending on the schedule, concentration/purity of the chemical and nature of the activity. You should always check the latest list of scheduled chemicals to determine whether your activities are regulated.
If you are unsure whether your activities are licensable, seek clarification before commencing any operation.
Scheduled Chemicals
A CWC licence is required for the following activities, depending on the chemical schedule:
Activity | Schedule 1 | Schedule 2* | Schedule 3* |
Production | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Processing | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ |
Consumption | ✔ | ✔ | ✖️ |
Import/Export | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Storage | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
Local Sales/Distribution | ✔ | ✖️ | ✖️ |
✔ - Licence required
✖️ - Licence not required
*Licences for Schedule 2 and 3 are exempted for mixtures below certain concentration/purity thresholds.
Licence Exemptions for Scheduled Chemicals
You do not need to apply for a CWC licence if your activities involve:
Production, processing or consumption of mixtures containing 30% or less of a Schedule 2B or Schedule 3 chemical for permitted purposes.
Import or export of mixtures containing 30% or less of a Schedule 2B chemical to a CWC Member State.
Import or export of mixtures containing 30% or less of a Schedule 3 chemical to a CWC Member State.
Plant sites that exclusively produce hydrocarbons or explosives by synthesis.
You should verify whether your chemicals are controlled before starting any activity:
See the full list of scheduled chemicals
Check if your product is controlled
Discrete Organic Chemicals (DOCs)
A CWC licence is required for the production of DOCs if one or both of the following conditions are met.
Production thresholds for DOCs
Type of DOCs | Quantity Produced per Year |
Total DOCs (including both PSF-containing and non-PSF-containing) | More than 200 tonnes |
Any one PSF-containing DOC | More than 30 tonnes |
Note: Plant sites that exclusively produce hydrocarbons or explosives by synthesis are exempted.
Licensing Terms and Conditions
By obtaining a CWC licence, you agree to comply with all terms and conditions set by the National Authority (CWC).
As a licence holder, you must:
Adhere to the restrictions on the use and transfer of controlled chemicals;
Apply for the necessary permits for imports and exports prior to the actual movement of the chemical;
Maintain required documentation;
Implement security measures as required;
Promptly report any changes in activities or quantities; and
Ensure compliance with inspections and other regulatory obligations as required by Singapore authorities, including the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for the management of hazardous substances and petroleum and flammable materials respectively.