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

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International regulations on the transport of dangerous goods
Scope:
• A vast array of regulations, the primary objective of which are to
guarantee public security. In brief, the UN Model Regulations have
existed since 1996, and are updated twice annually by a Committee of
Experts. They apply to four areas: transportation by road, by rail, by sea
and by air;
• As part of this system, the regulations concerning seaborne and air
transport have been internationally accepted. Furthermore, an
agreement on road transportation among 40 European nations
(including the Russian Federation) has been in effect since 1968. It led
notably to a European Directive for the member States of the EU in
1994;
• The provisions of these regulations have been transposed into the
national legislation of numerous States, both members and nonmembers
of the EU, and have become legally-binding.
Field of application:
• Applies to all ammunition and explosives.
OAS Convention
Scope:
• This Convention, which was adopted in 1997, entered into force on 1
July 1998. It is applicable to all States that have ratified it. A
consultative committee monitors its application in the member States.
As of 6 November 2002, 33 countries had signed the Convention and
16 had ratified it (it should be noted that the US and Canada are
among the States that have not ratified the Convention);
• It is a legally-binding mechanism.
Field of application:
• The Convention applies to all barrelled firearms 21 manufactured after
1901;
• De facto, the provisions concerning traceability do not concern
ammunition, nor do they concern explosives in a way that truly binds
States.