osce-toolkit-for-addressing-unauthorised-re-export-or-re-transfer-of-arms-and-ammunition

Sep 20, 2026

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Voluntary guidelines support OSCE participating States in compiling annual national reports on exports and imports of small arms and light weapons (SALW) with other participating States. The guidance explains what information should be reported for the preceding calendar year, including exporter/importer, item numbers, origin, intermediate location, and end-user certificate references. It addresses discrepancies across national submissions and recommends desk-officer measures such as providing more detailed transfer descriptions via the reporting template’s comments column and conducting bilateral consultations before submissions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time40 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Provide descriptions of SALW being transferred

Wider use of the OSCE SALW reporting template

Provide information on sources used for collecting data

Provide information on types of transfers and end users covered

Carry out bilateral consultations before making submissions

Standardized cover sheet for submissions on SALW exports and imports

Voluntary guidelines for compiling national reports on SALW exports from/imports to other participating States during the previous calendar year Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe Federal Foreign Office Germany Contents Introduction 7 1. Provide descriptions of SALW being transferred 8 2. Wider use of the OSCE SALW reporting template 9 3. Provide information on sources used for collecting data 9 4. Provide information on types of transfers and end users covered 10 5. Carry out bilateral consultations before making submissions 12 Standardized cover sheet for submissions on SALW exports and imports 13 Organization for Security and Co‑operation in Europe Voluntary guidelines for compiling national reports on SALW exports from/imports to other participating States during the previous calendar year Vienna, 2014 Introduction Under the OSCE Document on SmallArms and Light Weapons (SALW), OSCE participating States have agreed to share a range of information. Under Section III (F) participating States have agreed to share details of SALW exports and imports to and from other OSCE partic‑ ipating States. Using a standardized reporting form, States are requested to provide infor‑ mation on exports and imports of five subcategories of small arms and nine subcategories of light weapons for the preceding calendar year. Requested information includes the ex‑ porting or importing State, the number of items, the State of origin, the intermediate location (if any), the end user certificate number or reference (in the case of imports) and any com‑ ments on the transfer. The exchange of information on exports and imports of SALW contributes to the broader aims and objectives of the OSCE Document on SALW, including those of “[building] confi‑ dence, security and transparency through appropriate measures on small arms” and “[ex‑ ercising] due restraint to ensure that small arms are produced, transferred and held only in accordance with legitimate defence and security needs”.1 Internal analysis by the Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) has indicated that the information contained in participating States’ submissions did not seem to correlate. In particular, one participating State’s report on exports to – or imports from – another participating State of‑ ten do not correlate with the information contained in the corresponding participating State’s submission. In 2012, the CPC, with the help of a consultant, produced a study that identified the exact rate of discrepancies between participating States’ submissions (See Appendix) . The study highlighted possible reasons for discrepancies between participating States’submissions and made recommendations to remedy the situation, including the develop‑ ment of best practices. The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to participating States while compiling their annual submissions on exports and imports of SALW. The purpose of this guidance is to encourage – on a voluntary basis – more transparency with regards to the methodologies used by participating States’ to compile their submissions on exports and imports of SALWand – in the longer term – a reduction in the rate of discrepancies between participating States’ submissions. These recommendations are focused on measures that can be taken by desk officers that are responsible for the compilation and submission of reports to the OSCE Document on SALW. These measures are aimed at encouraging – on a voluntary basis – more transpar‑ ency with regards to the methodologies used by participating States’ to compile their sub‑ missions on exports and imports of SALW and – in the longer term – a reduction in the rate of discrepancies between participating States’ submissions. 1 OSCE Document on SALW FSC. DOC/1/00/Rev. 1, 20 June 2012 Voluntary guidelines for compiling national reports on SALW exports from/imports to other participating states during the previous calendar year 7 1. Provide des

FAQs

What is the purpose of these voluntary guidelines for OSCE SALW reporting?

They provide guidance for participating States while compiling annual submissions on SALW exports and imports. The goal is to encourage transparency about reporting methodologies and reduce discrepancies between States’ submissions over time.

What specific details are requested when reporting SALW exports and imports?

States are requested to provide exporter or importing State, number of items, State of origin, intermediate location (if any), end-user certificate number or reference for imports, and comments on the transfer.

Why do discrepancies occur between participating States’ SALW submissions?

Discrepancies partly arise because States may classify the same transfer differently, including using different SALW categories for identical transfers.

Sep 20, 2026

Upload by Franzy