End-use certificates form a line of defence against the diversion of authorized small arms transfers. These documents help to ensure that legally transferred small arms and light weapons
Identifying and evaluating an authorized end-user and end-use is an essential step in assessing applications for authorization to export small arms and light weapons. But the process does not end there. End-use certificates are effective only in the context of a functioning broader system that includes
Without a standard or agreed format for authenticated end-use certificates, government agencies in transit States have little means of establishing their authenticity. This makes interdiction of illicit transfers difficult without prior intelligence.
Many small-arms exporting states have in place at the national level the basic components to prevent unauthorized end use. However, exporting States tend not to make information available on whether they systematically verify end-user documentation in advance of export.
Moreover, research indicates that delivery verification is low and small arms end-use monitoring is largely neglected.
Disarmament in Review
