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 XXII/7: Global laboratory and analytical use exemption

Recalling paragraph 7 of decision XXI/6, which allows parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 until 31 December 2010 to deviate from the existing laboratory and analytical use bans in individual cases, where a party considers that this is justified, and asks parties to revisit the issue at the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Parties,

Considering that the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel did not provide all information requested by decision XXI/6 in time for the Twenty-Second Meeting of the Parties and that the parties were therefore unable to evaluate the situation in respect of laboratory and analytical uses by parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol,

Noting that some parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 continue to have difficulty adopting alternatives for those laboratory and analytical uses already banned under the global exemption and need more time for information collection and related policy framework development,

  1. To allow parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 until 31 December 2011 to deviate from the existing laboratory and analytical use bans in individual cases, where a party considers that this is justified, and to ask parties to revisit the issue at the Twenty-Third Meeting of the Parties;
  2. To request parties to continue to investigate domestically the possibility of replacing ozone-depleting substances in those laboratory and analytical uses listed in the reports of the Technology and Economic Assessment Panel prepared in accordance with decisions XVII/10 and XIX/18 and to report progress to the Ozone Secretariat by 30 April 2011;