The Vienna Convention of March 1985 aims to encourage inter-state co-operation and the exchange of information concerning research on the ozone layer, systematic monitoring of the ozone layer and controls on the production of ozone-damaging substances.

The Montreal Protocol on substances which lead to the degradation of the ozone layer in the earth's atmosphere was adopted in 1987. The contracting states promise to reduce and to eventually prevent emissions of chemicals containing chlorine and bromine altogether which destroy stratospheric ozone. Additionally, they have agreed to work together on research concerning the mechanisms of ozone degradation. Monitoring regulations are amended and added to continually by the amending protocols of London (1990), Copenhagen (1992), Vienna (1995), Montreal (1997) and Beijing (1999).

Substances such as CFC, methyl chloroform, methyl bromide and carbon tetrachloride fall under the Montreal Protocol. The BVL is involved in the case of the active substance methyl bromide when used for plant protection purposes (the last authorisation expired on 31.12.1990 in Germany) and storage protection (the last authorisations expired on 31.10.2002).

To the topic:

• Montreal Protocol website
• Collection of links on the subject of the ozone layer (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, BMU)