Law-ref.org The 1985 Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
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ozone layer [Global Index]


PREAMBLE     [go to this PREAMBLE]
... Aware of the potentially harmful impact on human health and the environment through modification of the ozone layer, ...
... Mindful of the work and studies proceeding within both international and national organizations and, in particular, of the World Plan of Action on the Ozone Layer of the United Nations Environment Programme, ...
... Mindful also of the precautionary measures for the protection of the ozone layer which have already been taken at the national and international levels, ...
... Aware that measures to protect the ozone layer from modifications due to human activities require international co-operation and action, and should be based on relevant scientific and technical considerations, ...
... Aware also of the need for further research and systematic observations to further develop scientific knowledge of the ozone layer and possible adverse effects resulting from its modification, ...
... Determined to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting from modifications of the ozone layer, ...


ARTICLE-1: Definitions     [go to this ARTICLE]
... "The ozone layer" means the layer of atmospheric ozone above the planetary boundary layer. ...
... "Alternative technologies or equipment" means technologies or equipment the use of which makes it possible to reduce or effectively eliminate emissions of substances which have or are likely to have adverse effects on the ozone layer. ...
... "Alternative substances" means substances which reduce, eliminate or avoid adverse effects on the ozone layer. ...


ARTICLE-2: General obligations     [go to this ARTICLE]
... The Parties shall take appropriate measures in accordance with the provisions of this Convention and of those protocols in force to which they are party to protect human health and the environment against adverse effects resulting or likely to result from human activities which modify or are likely to modify the ozone layer. ...
... (a) Co-operate by means of systematic observations, research and information exchange in order to better understand and assess the effects on human health and the environment from modification of the ozone layer; ...
... (b) Adopt appropriate legislative or administrative measures and co-operate in harmonizing appropriate policies to control, limit, reduce or prevent human activities under their jurisdiction or control should it be found that these activities have or are likely to have adverse effects resulting from modification or likely modification of the ozone layer; ...


ARTICLE-3: Research and systematic observations     [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) The physical and chemical processes that may affect the ozone layer; ...
... (b) The human health and other biological effects deriving from any modifications of the ozone layer, particularly those resulting from changes in ultra-violet solar radiation having biological effects (UV-B); ...
... (c) Climatic effects deriving from any modifications of the ozone layer; ...
... (d) Effects deriving from any modifications of the ozone layer and any consequent change in UV-B radiation on natural and synthetic materials useful to mankind; ...
... (e) Substances, practices, processes and activities that may affect the ozone layer, and their cumulative effects; ...
... The Parties undertake to promote or establish, as appropriate, directly or through competent international bodies and taking fully into account national legislation and relevant ongoing activities at both the national and international levels, joint or complementary programmes for systematic observation of the state of the ozone layer and other relevant parameters, as elaborated in annex I. ...


ARTICLE-6: Conference of the Parties     [go to this ARTICLE]
... (b) Review the scientific information on the ozone layer, on its possible modification and on possible effects of any such modification; ...
... (c) Promote, in accordance with article 2, the harmonization of appropriate policies, strategies and measures for minimizing the release of substances causing or likely to cause modification of the ozone layer, and make recommendations on any other measures relating to this Convention; ...
... (j) Seek, where appropriate, the services of competent international bodies and scientific committees, in particular the World Meteorological Organization and the World Health Organization as well as the Co-ordinating Committee on the Ozone Layer, in scientific research, systematic observations and other activities pertinent to the objectives of this Convention, and make use as appropriate of information from these bodies and committees; ...
... The United Nations, its specialized agencies and the International Atomic Energy Agency, as well as any State not party to this Convention, may be represented at meetings of the Conference of the Parties by observers. Any body or agency, whether national or international, governmental or non-governmental, qualified in fields relating to the protection of the ozone layer which has informed the secretariat of its wish to be represented at a meeting of the Conference of the Parties as an observer may be admitted unless at least one-third of the Parties present object. The admission and participation of observers shall be subject to the rules of procedure adopted by the Conference of the Parties. ...


ARTICLE-Annex_I: Research and systematic observations     [go to this ARTICLE]
... (a) Modification of the ozone layer which would result in a change in the amount of solar ultra-violet radiation having biological effects (UV-B) that reaches the Earth's surface and the potential consequences for human health, for organisms, ecosystems and materials useful to mankind; ...
... (i) The status of the ozone layer (i.e. the spatial and temporal variability of the total column content and vertical distribution) by making the Global Ozone Observing System, based on the integration of satellite and ground-based systems, fully operational; ...
... The following chemical substances of natural and anthropogenic origin, not listed in order of priority, are thought to have the potential to modify the chemical and physical properties of the ozone layer. ...


ARTICLE-Annex_II: Information exchange     [go to this ARTICLE]
... (c) Scientific results published in peer-reviewed literature on the understanding of the physics and chemistry of the EarthÕs atmosphere and of its susceptibility to change, in particular on the state of the ozone layer and effects on human health, environment and climate which would result from changes on all time-scales in either the total column content or the vertical distribution of ozone; ...
... (d) The costs, risks and benefits of human activities which may indirectly modify the ozone layer and of the impacts of regulatory actions taken or being considered to control these activities. ...
... (a) National laws, administrative measures and legal research relevant to the protection of the ozone layer; ...
... (b) International agreements, including bilateral agreements, relevant to the protection of the ozone layer; ...
... (c) Methods and terms of licensing and availability of patents relevant to the protection of the ozone layer. ...