Poland. 2006 ‘Stockpile Management.’ National Report of Poland on its Implementation of the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UNPoA); Section 7, pp. 4-5. New York, NY: Permanent Mission of Poland to the United Nations. 1 January

Relevant contents

Poland has a unified system of principles and procedures of managing stockpiles/depots and ensuring the security of SALW, regulated by the law of August 22, 1997 on the protection of persons and property (Journal of Laws No. 114, item 740) supplemented with ministry regulations.

The criteria and conditions for locating stockpiles in the armed forces are specified in ministry regulations. Location of arms stockpiles is determined by such criteria as distance from population centers, distance from transportation routes and junctions, possibility of utilizing existing infrastructures and of ensuring the security of the stored arms and ammunition.

Special attention is devoted to the efficiency and technical condition of the security systems, and the renovation needs of the depots. The verification of SALW supply depot structure (hereinafter called storage structures) is carried out once a year by an entitled commission, which checks: security systems' efficiency, technical condition and necessary repairs…

The site of SALW supply depot structure is divided into three main parts: special site (with structures in which SALW and technical supplies (TS) are located); technical site (with other depots, service station, equipment stocks etc.); barrack and administration site. Firearms technical supplies are grouped according to the type at store lines, weapon is stored separately in stores.

It is required that inventories of the stored items be kept for 10 consecutive years following the last entering in that inventory. The SALW records are subject to checking in the course of stock audits which are carried out by authorised people… Once a year a record on SALW quantity balance and turnover is made. Then, it is compared with the record of the superior level.

In every SALW storage unit and supply depot a detailed protection plan is drawn up. This plan foresees measures to be taken in case of emergency. This plan also takes into consideration all aspects connected with protection such as location and the character of stock structures, technical measures, protection guard system…

The personnel responsible for the SALW stockpiles are subjected to obligatory, systematic training. Constant security and control is ensured for SALW in storage or being transported. SALW shipments are always given armed escort, while the planning and routes of movement are subjected to strict procedures, with confidentiality ensured…

[SALW = Small arms and light weapons]

Last accessed at:
http://www.poa-iss.org/NationalReport/NationalReports.aspx