Protocol to the 1985 Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

General Information

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What is it about?

The Montreal Protocol establishes binding regulations reflecting the principles set forth by the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (Vienna, 22 March 1985). It regulates the production and usage of substances that deplete the ozone layer and implements a reduction program designed to gradually reduce usage to zero. The Montreal Protocol has been amended five times since its adoption (London 1990, Copenhagen 1992, Vienna 1995, Montreal 1997 and Peking 1999). These amendments enlarge the list of chemical products covered and the extent of the regulation of these products. State Parties to the Protocol are not bound by amendments unless they ratify them. The Protocol additionally prohibits the import of regulated products and substances produced in countries that are not a Party to the present Protocol. A procedure is established to suspend or exclude State Parties that do not respect the obligations resulting out of membership to the Protocol.

Why is it relevant?

In addition to health and environmental protection, the 1985 Convention and the 1987 Protocol have an international trade aspect requiring States to close their borders to substances suspected of harming the ozone layer and devices containing such substances. Largely ratified by the international community, this instrument reconciles environmental necessities with needs of developing countries. Developing countries benefit from a grace period for the phase out of certain chemicals. They may additionally draw from an International Fund designed to help their production sector adapt to the use and production of less polluting goods. They also benefit from the transfer of technology from developed countries related to the production of non-polluting goods.

Additional Information

A state must be a Party to the Vienna Convention of 1985 in order to ratify the 1987 Montreal Protocol.

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