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International Steps

1974

US scientists put forward theory that CFCs may deplete the ozone layer

Early 1980s

Some countries take independent action to protect the ozone layer, but quickly realise that global action is needed.

1985

British Antarctic Survey team report hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica.

1985

Vienna Convention for the protection of the ozone layer agreed.

1987

Montreal Protocol on Substances that deplete the ozone layer agreed.

June 1990

Second Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The London Amendment. Agreed to phase out CFCs, halons, carbon tetrachloride by 2000 and 1,1,1 trichlorethane by 2005. Financial mechanism set up to assist developing countries.

March 1991

New European Regulation 594/91 came into force. CFCs to be phases out within EC by 1997.

November 1992

Fourth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The Copenhagen Amendment. Phase out of CFCs, carbon tetrachloride and 1,1,1 trichloroethane brought forward to 1996. Phase out for halons brought forward to 1994. Controls introduced on HCFCs and methyl bromide.

December 1992

New EC Regulation agreed to bring phase out dates for CFCs and carbon tetrachloride forward to 1995.

December 1994

New EC Regulation 3093/94 came into force. HCFC phase out by 2015. 25% cut in methyl bromide by 2010.

November 1995

Seventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. Agreement to phase out methyl bromide by January 1998.

September 1997

Ninth Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The Montreal Amendment. Phase out for methyl bromide brought forward to 2005. Developing countries to phase out methyl bromide by 2015.

1999

Eleventh Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol. The Beijing Amendment. Agreement to phase out Bromochloromethan by January 2002.

October 2000

New EC Regulation 2037/00 came into force implementing stricter controls of the Montreal Protocol in the EU.



© Crown, The Ozone Layer, Defra (2003)


Page updated: Friday, September 14, 2007