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 XXVI/4: Essential-use exemption for laboratory and analytical uses for 2015 in China

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

Recalling decision XI/15, by which the parties, among other things, eliminated the use of ozone-depleting substances for the testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water from the global exemption for laboratory and analytical uses,

Recalling also decision XXIII/6, by which parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol were allowed until 31 December 2014 to deviate from the existing ban on the use of carbon tetrachloride for the testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water in individual cases where such parties considered doing so to be justified and in which it was clarified that any deviation beyond that should take place only in accordance with an essential-use exemption in respect of the use of carbon tetrachloride for the testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water beyond 2014,

Noting that a party has reported difficulty in implementing existing alternatives to the use of carbon tetrachloride for the testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water and claims to need more time for the revision and promotion of national standards,

  1. To encourage that party, which has applied for an exemption, to complete the revision of its relevant national standard and to ensure that a revised national standard is brought into force as soon as possible, with a view to ensuring a smooth transition to a method that does not use ozone‑depleting substances;
  2. To authorize the level of consumption for 2015 necessary to satisfy essential uses of carbon tetrachloride for the testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water, as specified in the annex to the present decision;

Annex

Essential-use authorizations for 2015 for carbon tetrachloride for testing of oil, grease and total petroleum hydrocarbons in water
(Metric tonnes)

Party

2015

China

80