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 VII/28: Essential-use nominations for controlled substances for 1996 and beyond

The Seventh Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. VII/28:

  1. To note with appreciation the work done by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Technical Options Committees pursuant to decision IV/25 of the Fourth Meeting of the Parties;
  2. That, for 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 for Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol, levels of production and consumption necessary to satisfy essential uses of CFC-11, CFC-12, CFC-113, CFC-114 and methyl chloroform are authorized as specified in Annex VI to the report of the Seventh Meeting of the Parties, for metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, nasal dexamethasone, and specific cleaning, bonding and surface activation applications in rocket motor manufacturing for the United States Space Shuttle and Titan, subject to the following conditions:
    1. The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel will review, annually, the quantity of controlled substances authorized and submit a report to the Meeting of the Parties in that year;
    2. The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel will review, biennially, whether the applications for which exemption was granted still meets the essential-use criteria and submit a report, through the Secretariat, to the Meeting of the Parties in the year in which the review is made;
    3. The Parties granted essential use exemptions will reallocate, as decided by the Parties, to other uses the exemptions granted or destroy any surplus ozone-depleting substances authorized for essential use but subsequently rendered unnecessary as a result of technical progress and market adjustments;
  3. To urge the Parties to collate, coordinate and evaluate the individual company nominations for future years before submitting these nominations to the Secretariat.
Annex VI: Essential use exemptions