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 XVII/8: List of uses of controlled substances as process agents

The Seventeenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XVII/8 to adopt the following uses of controlled substances as an interim table A bis for decision X/14, subject to reconfirmation and inclusion in a reassessed table A for decision X/14 at the Nineteenth Meeting of the Parties in 2007;

Table A-bis: Interim list of uses of controlled substances as process agents

No. Process agent application Substance
40. Production of p-Bromobenzaldehyde (intermediate)  
41. Production of fenvalerate (pesticide) CTC
42. Manufacture of Losartan Potassium BCM
43. Production of 1,2-Chloro-1,4-Naphthoquinone (pharmaceutical) CTC
44. Production of Prallethrin (pesticide) CTC
45. Production of 2-Methoxybenzoylchloride (pharmaceutical) CTC
46. Production of o-Nitrobenzaldehyde (dyes) CTC
47. Production of Salimusk (perfume) CTC
48. Production of Epoxiconazole (pesticide) CTC
49. Production of benzophenone (chemical) CTC
50. Production of Picloram; Lontrel (pesticides) CTC
51. Production of 3-Methyl-2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde (pesticide, pharma.) CTC
52. Production of Difenoconazole (pesticide) CTC
53. Production of 2-Thiophenecarboxaldehyde (intermediate) CTC
54. Production of 2-Thiophene ethanol (pharmaceutical) CTC
55. Production of 5-Amino-1,2,3-thiadiazol CTC
56. Production of Levofloxacin (pharmaceutical) CTC
57. Production of Cinnamic acid (intermediate) CTC
58. Production of Ertaczo (pharmaceutical) CTC
59. Production of 3,5-Dinitrobenzoyl chloride (3,5-DNBC) (intermediate) CTC
60. Production of Fipronil (pesticide) CTC
61. Processing of Aluminium, Uranium CTC, CFC
62. Production of Furfural (volume chemical) CTC
63. Production of 3,3,3-trifluoropropene (volume chemical) CTC
64. Production of Triphenylmethylchloride (intermediate) CTC
65. Production of Tetrachlorodimethylmethane (volume chemical) CTC
66. Production of 4,4‘-difluorodiphenylketone (intermediate) CTC
67. Production of 4-trifluoromethoxybenzenamine CTC
68. Production of 1,2-benzisothiazol-3-ketone CTC