Recursos

¹ Forensic finger-printing is no longer exempted: https://ozone.unep.org/resources/categories-of-laboratory-and-analytical-uses-no-longer-exempted.

Cold-chain systems typically use high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants and grid electricity based on fossil-fuels, off-grid diesel-based generation and transport. The urgent challenge is delivering social and economic benefits by expanding cold-chain capacity quickly and affordably, while ensuring minimal pollution and adverse environmental effects.

The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events at which everyone can participate in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment.

UN system events are guided by the highest ethical and professional standards, and all participants are expected to behave with integrity and respect towards all participants attending or involved with any UN system event.

When did we realize ozone depletion was an issue, and how did we fix it? By 1985, the globe had already seen advancements in the scientific understanding of ozone depletion and its impacts on human health and the environment. It was then that the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was created in response. This agreement is a framework convention that lays out principles agreed upon by many parties. It does not, however, require countries to take control actions to protect the ozone layer. This would come later in the form of the Montreal Protocol. 
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Pursuant to Decision X/19 (4), the Secretariat is listing below decisions by the Parties on laboratory and analytical uses that should no longer be eligible for production and consumption of controlled ozone-depleting substances under the global exemption:

• Uses excluded from the global essential-use exemption (Decision VII/11 (6)):

1. Refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment used in laboratories, including refrigerated laboratory equipment such as ultra-centrifuges;
2. Cleaning, reworking, repair, or rebuilding of electronic components or assemblies;
3. Preservation of publications and archives; and
4. Sterilization of materials in a laboratory;

• Uses eliminated from the global exemption for laboratory and analytical uses (Decision XI/15)

1. Testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water;
2. Testing of tar in road-paving materials; and
3. Forensic finger-printing.

• Use eliminated from the global exemption for laboratory and analytical uses (Decision XIX/18)

1. Testing of organic matter in coal

• All uses of methyl bromide except those listed in decision XVIII/15 (see preamble of decision XXI/6)

Of relevance to the global exemption of laboratory and analytical uses are:

• Conditions applied to exemption for laboratory and analytical uses (Annex II of the Report of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties)
• Categories and examples of laboratory uses (Annex IV of the Report of the Seventh Meeting of the Parties)

Category of laboratory and analytical critical use to allow methyl bromide to be used (Decision XVIII/15(2))

Subject to the conditions applied to the exemption for laboratory and analytical uses contained in annex II to the report of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties, it was decided by the Parties to the Montreal Protocol at their Eighteenth Meeting to adopt a category of laboratory and analytical critical use to allow methyl bromide to be used:

“(a)      As a reference or standard:

(i)         To calibrate equipment which uses methyl bromide;
(ii)        To monitor methyl bromide emission levels;
(iii)       To determine methyl bromide residue levels in goods, plants and commodities;

(b)        In laboratory toxicological studies;

(c)        To compare the efficacy of methyl bromide and its alternatives inside a laboratory;

(d)        As a laboratory agent which is destroyed in a chemical reaction in the manner of feedstock;”

Recalling decision XXVI/5, which extended the global laboratory and analytical-use exemption until 31 December 2021, under the conditions set out in annex II to the report of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties,

Noting that Annex C, group I, substances (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) are currently not included in the global laboratory and analytical-use exemption,

Noting the 2018 report by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, which notes that hydrochlorofluorocarbons will be required for laboratory and analytical uses after 2020,

Taking into account the adjustment agreed on by parties in 2018 to permit essential-use exemptions for hydrochlorofluorocarbons,

To include Annex C, group I, substances in the global laboratory and analytical-use exemption under the same conditions and on the same timeline as set forth in paragraph 1 of decision XXVI/5;