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 XVIII/35: Report on the establishment of licensing systems under Article 4B of the Montreal Protocol

  1. To note that paragraph 3 of Article 4B of the Montreal Protocol requires each Party, within three months of the date of introducing its system for licensing the import and export of new, used, recycled and reclaimed substances in Annexes A, B, C and E of the Protocol, to report to the Secretariat on the establishment and operation of that system;
  2. To note with appreciation that 124 Parties to the Montreal Amendment to the Protocol have established import and export licensing systems as required under the terms of the Amendment;
  3. To note also with appreciation that 30 Parties to the Protocol that have not yet ratified the Montreal Amendment have also established import and export licensing systems;
  4. To recognize that licensing systems bring the following benefits: monitoring of imports and exports of ozone-depleting substances; prevention of illegal trade; and enabling of data collection;
  5. To note that Parties to the Montreal Amendment to the Protocol that have not yet established licensing systems are in non-compliance with Article 4B of the Protocol and can be subject to the non-compliance procedure under the Protocol;
  6. To urge all remaining 23 Parties to the Montreal Amendment to provide information to the Secretariat on the establishment of import and export licensing systems and to urge those that have not yet established such systems to do so as a matter of urgency;
  7. To encourage all remaining Parties to the Protocol that have not yet ratified the Montreal Amendment to ratify it and to establish import and export licensing systems if they have not yet done so;
  8. To urge all Parties that already operate licensing systems to ensure that they are implemented and enforced effectively;
  9. To review periodically the status of the establishment of licensing systems by all Parties to the Protocol, as called for in Article 4B of the Protocol.