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 XIX/18: Laboratory and analytical‑use exemption

  1. To extend until 31 December 2011 the global laboratory and analytical‑use exemption, under the conditions set out in annex II of the report of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties and decisions XV/8, XVI/16, and XVIII/15, for the controlled substances in all annexes and groups of the Montreal Protocol except Annex C, group I;
  2. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Chemicals Technical Options Committee to provide, by the Twenty-first Meeting of the Parties, a list of laboratory and analytical uses of ozone-depleting substances, indicating those for which alternatives exist and which are therefore no longer necessary and describing those alternatives;
  3. To eliminate the testing of organic matter in coal from the global exemption for laboratory and analytical uses of controlled substances.
Annex II: Conditions applied to exemption for laboratory and analytical uses