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 IX/17: Essential-use exemption for laboratory and analytical uses of ozone-depleting substances

The Ninth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. IX/17:

  1. That for 1999, for Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol, production and consumption necessary to satisfy essential uses of controlled substances in Annexes A and B of the Protocol only for laboratory and analytical uses, as listed in annex IV to the report of the Seventh Meeting of the Parties, are authorized, subject to the conditions applied to exemption for laboratory and analytical uses as contained in annex II to the report of the Sixth Meeting of the Parties;
  2. That data for consumption and production should be reported annually under a global essential-use exemption framework to the Secretariat so that the success of reduction strategies may be monitored;
  3. To clarify that essential-use exemptions for laboratory and analytical uses of controlled substances shall continue to exclude the production of products made with or containing such substances.
Annex IV: Categories and examples of laboratory uses
Annex II: Conditions applied to exemption for laboratory and analytical uses