The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. This phase-out plan includes both the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The landmark agreement was signed in 1987 and entered into force in 1989.

The parties to the Protocol meet once a year to make decisions aimed at ensuring the successful implementation of the agreement. These include adjusting or amending the Protocol, which has been done six times since its creation. The most recent amendment, the Kigali Amendment, called for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in 2016. These HFCs were used as replacements for a batch of ozone-depleting substances eliminated by the original Montreal Protocol. Although they do not deplete the ozone layer, they are known to be powerful greenhouse gases and, thus, contributors to climate change.

The Montreal Protocol provided a set of practical, actionable tasks that were universally agreed on. The Protocol has successfully met its objectives thus far and continues to safeguard the ozone layer today. Thanks to the collaborative effort of nations around the world, the ozone layer is well on its way to recovery.

Decision XV/4: Essential use nominations for non-Article 5 Parties for controlled substances for 2004 and 2005

The Fifteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XV/4:

  1. To note with appreciation the excellent work done by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Technical Options Committees;
  2. To authorize the levels of production and consumption necessary to satisfy essential uses of CFCs for metered-dose inhalers for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases as well as for laboratory and analytical uses as specified in annex I to the present report, subject to the conditions established by the Meeting of the Parties in paragraph 2 of its decision VII/28;
  3. To note that two Parties, the European Community and Poland, had requested emergency exemptions for laboratory and analytical uses, which had been approved by the Ozone Secretariat, in consultation with the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, in accordance with the procedure set forth in paragraph 10 of decision VIII/9. The following amounts were approved:
    Poland: 2.05 tonnes of CFC-113 and carbon tetrachloride for 2003;
    European Community: 0.025 ODP-tonnes of hydrobromofluorocarbons and bromochloromethane for 2003 and 2004.
Annex I: Essential use nominations