EU renews chemical weapons sanctions regime for 5 years

12 October 2026

The EU has decided to renew its chemical weapons sanctions regime under Regulation (EU) 2018/1542 for 5 years, until 30 October 2031 – Press Release. This is the longest period an EU sanctions regime has been renewed for (the chemical weapons regime was last renewed in October 2025 for 1 year).

31 people and 6 entities are currently designated under this sanctions regime. The EU has also extended these designations for 1 year until 30 October 2027 following its annual review of the individual listings. They will remain on the list unless the EU Council decides not to renew them at the next annual review.

The EU adopted its chemical weapons sanctions regime in 2018 to address the use and proliferation of chemical weapons. See our Chemical Weapons & Non-Proliferation pages for more information.