The Scope and Implications of a Tracing Mechanism for Small Arms ...

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6. The Protocol on the Control of Firearms, Ammunition and Other
Related Materials, in the Region of the Southern African Development
Community 8 (hereafter referred to as the “SADC Protocol”);
7. The OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons 9 (hereafter
referred to as the “OSCE Document”).
These mechanisms will then be compared with the “desirable
system”—a theoretical model proposed by the authors of this paper—
which combines a certain amount of ambition, indispensable to the
creation of an effective system, and realism as to its technical feasibility.
In Section 5.3 we present the contents of five other important—though
not binding—initiatives. This will complete the picture and provide a wider
perspective of the main political positions and dynamics animating the
debate on SALW tracing.
Finally, Section 5.4 consists of a study of the possibilities for synergies
between the existing regional and international mechanisms and of the
opportunity for creating a new international tracing mechanism.
5.2 COMPARISON OF THE PRINCIPAL EXISTING MECHANISMS
5.2.1 Scope and Field of Application of Existing Mechanisms
The desirable system
Scope:
• A legally-binding mechanism that is global in scope.
Field of application:
• Applicable to all SALW (including ammunition and explosives), licit and
illicit, 10 irrespective of the purchasers or sellers involved;
• It is highly desirable that ammunition and explosives be included in the
mechanism, given their strategic importance in conflicts on the one
hand, and the serious difficulties currently encountered pertaining to
their traceablity, on the other;
• States implement measures that allow State-owned weapon stockpiles
to be marked and registered according to the new standards (with no
obligation to include security markings, however) in the course of