The central national implementation obligations in the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention  (BTWC) are contained in Articles I to IV:

• Article I defines the scope of the BTWC prohibitions (the so-called general purpose criterion).
• Article II requires each State Party (that possesses biological weapons) to destroy all biological weapons or divert all items to peaceful purposes.
• Article III prohibits States Parties from transferring to any recipient whatsoever or assisting, encouraging or inducing other States or organisations to manufacture or acquire any item specified in Article I.
• Article IV requires States Parties to take any necessary measures (e.g. legislative, regulatory, control and other measures) to prohibit and prevent the misuse of dual-use biological materials for weapon purposes.