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 VI/14A: Provision of information on the supply of controlled substances to Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Montreal Protocol

The Sixth Meeting of the Parties decided in Dec. VI/14A that, in order to facilitate implementation of the Protocol’s provision concerning the supply of controlled substances to meet the basis domestic needs of Parties operating under Article 5, paragraph 1, of the Montreal Protocol, a Party may opt to use either decision V/25 or the following:

  1. Each Party operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol, that requires controlled substances referred to in Articles 2A and 2E from another Party is requested to furnish, with effect from 1 January 1995, to the Government of the supplying Party within 60 days of such imports a letter specifying the quantity of the substances imported and stating that the substances are to be used for the purposes of meeting its basic domestic needs. The Parties concerned will work out an internal mechanism so that enterprises in importing and exporting countries can trade directly in controlled substances;
  2. Each Party supplying the controlled substances is requested to provide annually to the Secretariat a summary of the letters received from Parties operating under paragraph 1 of Article 5 of the Protocol and to indicate therein whether each such Party receiving the substances had affirmed that such imports are to meet its basic domestic needs. It is expected that such supplies will be consistent with the provisions of the Protocol.