The Handbook is published shortly after the Protocol, along with the Vienna Convention, achieved universal participation, by 196 Parties, on 16 September 2009 – the first treaties of any kind in the history of the United Nations system to achieve that aspiration. The universal ratification of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol is the culmination of more than twenty-two years of efforts by the international community to ensure that the ozone protection treaties achieved global support and implementation. 

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.

The eighth edition of the Handbook was published shortly after the Protocol, along with the Vienna Convention, achieved universal participation, by 196 Parties, on 16 September 2009 – the first treaties of any kind in the history of the United Nations system to achieve that aspiration. Now, three years later, with the addition of the newest member of the United Nations, South Sudan, and that country‟s accession to the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol, we can still say that the ozone treaties maintain universal participation.

The Protocol, along with the Vienna Convention, achieved universal participation on 16 September 2009 – the first treaties of any kind in the history of the United Nations system to achieve that aspiration.

This edition has been updated to include all relevant information from 1989 to date.

The Protocol, along with the Vienna Convention, achieved universal participation on 16 September 2009 – the first treaties of any kind in the history of the United Nations system to achieve that aspiration.

This edition has been updated to include all relevant information from 1989 to date.

This third edition of the manual is updated to re ect the evolving role of Customs and enforcement officers in implementing their commitments under the Montreal Protocol. It includes additional information on all the substances now controlled under the Montreal Protocol, with a focus on hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) which are primarily used as refrigerants and foam blowing agents. HCFCs replaced chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which were phased out by 1st January 2010.

The Handbook describes the nomination process for essential use exemptions as it has evolved through Articles of the Protocol and Decisions of the Parties; the procedures followed under the Protocol; and the experience of the Panel and its Technical Options Committees in managing the process to date. The Handbook contains three sections: review of the essential use process; instructions for the completion of essential use nominations; and appendices. The appendices contain provisions of the Montreal Protocol, decisions of the Parties to the Protocol and an essential use nomination form.

The Handbook describes the nomination process for essential use exemptions as it has evolved through Articles of the Protocol and Decisions of the Parties; the procedures followed under the Protocol; and the experience of the Panel and its Technical Options Committees in managing the process to date. The Handbook contains three sections: review of the essential use process; instructions for the completion of essential use nominations; and appendices. The appendices contain provisions of the Montreal Protocol, decisions of the Parties to the Protocol and an essential use nomination form.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer establishes the phase-out schedules for production and consumption of the most harmful ozone depleting substances (ODS). Different phase-out schedules apply to the industrialised and developing countries (Section 5.1). The ODS phase-out is in different stages of implementation across the globe. Eventually, production and consumption of ODS need to be phased out globally. Only then will the ozone layer be able to recover.

The Handbook contains four sections: (1) an outline of the critical-use process, (2) suggested forms and notes for the submission of critical-use nominations, (3) reporting accounting framework and (4) appendices. The appendices contain provisions of the Montreal Protocol relating to critical-use exemptions for methyl bromide, relevant decisions of the Parties to the Protocol, and extracts from meeting reports of the Parties relevant to critical uses.