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 XXIX/7: Use of controlled substances as process agents

Taking note with appreciation of the 2017 progress report of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel, especially insofar as it pertains to process agents,

Recalling that table A of decision X/14 on process agents has been updated through decisions XV/6, XVII/7, XIX/15, XXI/3, XXII/8 and XXIII/7,

Noting that the Panel, in its 2017 progress report, takes account of the information provided by parties in accordance with decision XXI/3,

Noting also that, in its 2017 progress report, the Panel recommends the removal of three processes from table A of decision X/14, as updated through decision XXIII/7,

  1. To update table A of decision X/14 as set out in the annex to the present decision;
  2. To urge parties to update their information on the use of controlled substances as process agents and to provide the Secretariat, by 31 December 2017, with information on the implementation and development of emissions reduction techniques;
  3. To request the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel to report to the Open‑ended Working Group of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer at its forty-first meeting on the industrial application of any alternative technologies employed by parties in the processes listed in table A, as updated in the annex to the present decision;

Annex to decision XXIX/7

Table A
List of uses of controlled substances as process agents

 

No.

Process agent application

Substance

Permitted parties

1

Elimination of NCl3 in chlor-alkali production

CTC

European Union, Israel, United States of America

2

Recovery of chlorine by tail gas absorption from chlor-alkali production

CTC

European Union, United States of America

3

Production of chlorinated rubber

CTC

European Union

4

Production of chlorosulfonated polyolefin (CSM)

CTC

China

5

Production of aramid polymer (PPTA)

CTC

European Union

6

Production of synthetic fibre sheet

CFC-11

United States of America

7

Photochemical synthesis of perfluoropolyetherpolyperoxide precursors of Z‑perfluoropolyethers and difunctional derivatives

CFC-12

European Union

8

Preparation of perfluoropolyether diols with high functionality

CFC-113

European Union

9

Production of cyclodime

CTC

European Union

10

Bromination of a styrenic polymer

BCM

United States of America

11

Production of high modulus polyethylene fibre

CFC-113

United States of America