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 XIII/10: Further study of campaign production of CFCs for metered-dose inhalers (MDIs)

The Thirteenth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. XIII/10:

Noting that the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and Technical Options Committee review recommended that just-in-time production of CFCs for the manufacture of metered-dose inhalers is the best approach to protect the health of patients,

Noting, however, the possibility that just-in-time production of CFCs for the manufacture of CFC-based MDIs may not be available through to the end of the transition, and that the end of just-in-time production could come unexpectedly,

  1. To note with appreciation the work of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and its Technical Options Committees in studying the issue of campaign production of CFCs for manufacturing CFC-based MDIs;
  2. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel and Technical Options Committees to analyse the current essential-use decisions and procedures to identify if changes are needed to facilitate expedient authorization for campaign production, including information needed for the review and authorization of nominations for campaign production quantities, the contingencies for under- and over-estimation of the quantities needed for a campaign production, the timing of the campaign production vis--vis export and import of those quantities, the oversight and reporting on the use of campaign production quantities, and the flexibility in ensuring that the campaign production is used only in the manufacture of MDIs for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or that any excess is destroyed;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to present its findings to the Open-ended Working Group in 2002;
  4. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to continue to monitor and report on the timing of the likely need for campaign production.