Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer

 
Article 1

Definitions

For the purposes of this Convention:

1. “The ozone layer”means the layer of atmospheric ozone above the
planetary boundary layer.

2. “Adverse effects”means changes in the physical environment or biota,
including changes in climate, which have significant deleterious effects on
human health or on the composition, resilience and productivity of natural
and managed ecosystems, or on materials useful to mankind.

3. “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.

4. “Alternative substances”means substances which reduce, eliminate or
avoid adverse effects on the ozone layer.

5. “Parties”means, unless the text otherwise indicates, Parties to this
Convention.

6. “Regional economic integration organization”means an organization
constituted by sovereign States of a given region which has competence in
respect of matters governed by this Convention or its protocols and has
been duly authorized, in accordance with its internal procedures, to sign,
ratify, accept, approve or accede to the instruments concerned.

7. “Protocols”means protocols to this Convention.

Article 2

General Obligations

1. 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.

2. To this end the Parties shall, in accordance with the means at their
disposal and their capabilities:

(a) Co-operate by means of systematic observations, research and
information exchange in order to better understand and assess the
effects of human activities on the ozone layer and 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;
(c) Co-operate in the formulation of agreed measures, procedures and
standards for the implementation of this Convention, with a view to
the adoption of protocols and annexes;
(d) Co-operate with competent international bodies to implement
effectively this Convention and protocols to which they are party.

3. The provisions of this Convention shall in no way affect the right of
Parties to adopt, in accordance with international law, domestic measures
additional to those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 above, nor shall they
affect additional domestic measures already taken by a Party, provided that
these measures are not incompatible with their obligations under this
Convention.

4. The application of this article shall be based on relevant scientific
and technical considerations.

Article 3

Research and Systematic Observations

1. The Parties undertake, as appropriate, to initiate and cooperate in,
directly or through competent international bodies, the conduct of research
and scientific assessments on:

(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;
(f) Alternative substances and technologies;
(g) Related socio-economic matters; and as further elaborated in annexes
I and II.

2. 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.

3. The Parties undertake to co-operate, directly or through competent
international bodies, in ensuring the collection, validation and
transmission of research and observational data through appropriate world
data centres in a regular and timely fashion.

Author: international

Mentioned in these Entries

Atmosphere and Space conventions, Conventions: Chronological Index 1971-1990, Environment and Wildlife conventions, International Environment resources, International Environment, Biodiversity and Climate resources.