SC/8732
     1 June 2006

Security Council Committee Launches Database on Non-Proliferation Legislation

NEW YORK, 31 May (UN Headquarters) -- On 19 May 2006 the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004) decided to publish on its official website ( http://disarmament2.un.org/Committee1540/index.html) a legislative database related to States' implementation of the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004), concerning non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery. The database contains links to public sources of relevant information about national legislative and other regulatory measures of the States that have submitted reports to the Committee on their implementation of resolution 1540 (2004).

The Committee developed the database to provide additional information on States' national laws, regulations and other measures to implement resolution 1540 (2004). In doing so, the Committee aimed to promote and facilitate the exchange of information on States' implementation efforts.

The Committee will update the database regularly.

The Committee expresses its appreciation to States that have submitted reports to the Committee, and encourages all States to implement fully the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004).

In making this database available, the Committee neither endorses any of its contents nor suggests that any specific text therein represents a sufficient or comprehensive model for implementing the provisions of resolution 1540 (2004). Certain texts, ordinances, decrees or decisions therein may correspond more fully to the provisions of the resolution than others. States seeking to adopt and enforce legislation and regulations to implement fully the provisions of the resolution should rely on the contents of this database for information and background only.

* *** *