Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972

Subject: International Conventions

Context: For bio-weapons, all we have is the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) of 1972 with no implementing body.

Concept:

Biological weapons

Also called germ weapons, they are any of a number of disease-producing agents—such as bacteria, viruses, rickettsiae, fungi, toxins, or other biological agents—that may be utilized as weapons against humans, animals, or plants.
Biological weapons, like chemical weapons, radiological weapons, and nuclear weapons, are commonly referred to as weapons of mass destruction.

The Biological Weapons Convention (BWC):

It is the first multilateral disarmament treaty banning the development, production and stockpiling of an entire category of weapons of mass destruction, was opened for signature on 10 April 1972. The BWC entered into force on 26 March 1975.
The Convention is of unlimited duration. As of May 2021, 183 states have become party to the treaty.
Four additional states have signed but not ratified the treaty, and another ten states have neither signed nor acceded to the treaty

The BWC bans:

The development, stockpiling, acquisition, retention, and production of:
Biological agents and toxins “of types and in quantities that have no justification for prophylactic, protective or other peaceful purposes;”
Weapons, equipment, and delivery vehicles “designed to use such agents or toxins for hostile purposes or in armed conflict.”
The transfer of or assistance with acquiring the agents, toxins, weapons, equipment, and delivery vehicles described above.