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 XXXIV/4: Illegal import of certain refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump products and equipment

  1. To invite parties that have restricted the manufacture and/or import of certain refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump products and equipment containing or relying on controlled substances, including with respect to energy efficiency, and that do not want to receive such products and equipment from other parties against payment or free of charge, to submit to the Secretariat by 1 May 2023 the information listed below:
    1. The types of products and equipment concerned, including their codes in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System, where applicable;
    2. The specific domestic restrictions on the controlled substances (i.e., maximum global warming potential of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) permitted to be used) for each category of product and equipment;
    3. The minimum energy efficiency performance standard permitted under domestic legislation for each category of product and equipment;
    4. Any attempted illegal imports of such restricted products and equipment to their countries;
  2. To consider this issue at the Thirty-Fifth Meeting of the Parties and include the item on the agenda of the forty-fifth meeting of the Open-ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, taking into account the information requested in paragraph 1 of the present decision.