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 XVI/12: Essential-use nominations for Parties not operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol for controlled substances for 2005 and 2006

Noting with appreciation the work done by the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Technical Options Committee,

1. 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 specified in the annex to this decision, subject to the conditions established by the Meeting of the Parties in paragraph 2 of its decision VII/28 and subject to a second review of the 2006 levels consistent with decision XV/5;

2. To urge the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to specify in the Handbook on Essential Use Nominations that a nominating Party may submit in its nomination data aggregated by region and product group for CFC-containing metered-dose inhalers intended for sale in Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 when more specific data are not available;

3. That, in the light of the fact that Aerosol Technical Options Committee’s recommendations for future essential-use exemptions are based on past stock level information, Parties, when preparing essential use nominations for CFCs, should give due consideration to existing stocks, whether owned or agreed to be acquired from a metered-dose inhaler manufacturer, of banked or recycled controlled substances as described in paragraph 1 (b) of decision IV/25, with the objective of maintaining no more than one year’s operational supply;

AnnexEssential-use nominations for 2005 and 2006 of CFCs for metered-dose inhalers approved by the Parties at the Sixteenth Meeting (metric tonnes)

Party 2005 2006
  Amount nominated Amount approved Amount nominated Amount approved and subject to a second review in 2005
European Community — — a 550 550
Russian Federation — — a 286 b
Ukraine 53.1 53.1 — —
United States of America — — a 1900 1900
Total 53.1 53.1 2736 2450

a As approved by the Parties at their fifteenth meeting (document UNEP/OzL.Pro/15/9, decision XV/4 and annex I).

b The Technology and Economic Assessment Panel will review the nomination in 2005.