See the ENTRI query system for information about the signatory status of this treaty.
CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION OF MARINE POLLUTION BY
DUMPING OF WASTES AND OTHER MATTER
(as amended)
Objectives
==========
To control pollution of the sea by dumping, and to encourage
regional agreements supplementary to the Convention.
Summary of provisions
=====================
(a) Covers all seas, and all deliberate disposal of wastes
other than that incidental to the normal operation of ships,
aircraft, etc.;
(b) Dumping of matter listed in annex I is prohibited.
Dumping of matter listed in annex II is allowable only by special
permit. Dumping of matter listed in annex III is allowable only by
general permit (art. 4);
(c) Exceptions permitted only in the case of force majeure or
extreme emergency;
(d) Parties to establish authorities to issue permits, keep
records and monitor the condition of the seas (art. 6);
(e) Parties to enforce measures on all flag aircraft and
ships, as well as ships and aircraft loading within their
territories/territorial seas (art. 7);
(f) Parties with particular interests in certain areas of the
sea to enter into regional agreements to prevent marine pollution
(art. 8);
(g) Parties to collaborate in training personnel, supplying
equipment for research and monitoring, and disposing of and treating
wastes (art. 9);
(h) Procedures to be developed for assessment of liability
and settlement of disputes (art. 10);
(i) Parties to promote measures to prevent pollution by
hydrocarbons, other matter transported other than for dumping,
wastes generated during operation of ships etc., radioactive
pollutants and matter originating from exploration of the sea bed
(art. 12).
Membership
==========
Open for accession by any State. Instruments of accession
shall be deposited with each of the depositary Governments.
Date of adoption 29.12.1972
Places of adoption London, UK
Mexico City, Mexico
Moscow, Russian Federation
Washington, USA
Date of entry into force 30. 8.1975
Languages English, French, Russian, Spanish
Depositaries Mexico, Union of Soviet Socialist
Republics, United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland,
United States of America
Participant Signature Ratification
Accession (Ac)
Succession (S)
----------- --------- --------------
Afghanistan 2. 4.1975 (Ac)
Antigua and Barbuda 6. 1.1989 (Ac)
Argentina 10. 5.1973 11. 9.1979
Australia 10.10.1973 21. 8.1985
Belgium 25. 9.1973 12. 6.1985
Brazil 26. 7.1982 (Ac)
Canada 9. 2.1973 13.11.1975
China 14.11.1985 (Ac)
Chile 4. 8.1977 (Ac)
Côte d'Ivoire 9.10.1987 (Ac)
Cuba 1.12.1975 (Ac)
Cyprus 18. 6.1990 (Ac)
Denmark* 29.12.1972 23.10.1974
Egypt 30. 6.1992 (Ac)
Finland 29.12.1972 3. 5.1979
France 31. 5.1973 3. 2.1977
Gabon 5. 2.1982 (Ac)
Germany 22. 1.1973 18.11.1977
Greece 9.11.1973 10. 8.1981
Hungary 14.12.1973 5. 2.1976
Iceland 29.12.1972 24. 5.1973
Ireland 31.12.1973 17. 2.1982
Italy 29.12.1972 30. 4.1984
Jamaica 22. 3.1991
Japan 22. 6.1973 15.10.1980
Jordan 23. 8.1973
Khmer Republic 2. 1.1973
Kiribati 12. 5.1982 (S)
Kenya 7. 1.1976 (Ac)
Kuwait 1. 3.1973
Lebanon 15. 5.1973
Liberia 1. 1.1973
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 22.11.1976 (Ac)
Luxembourg 29.12.1972 21. 2.1991
Malta 28.12.1989 (Ac)
Mexico 29.12.1972 7. 4.1975
Monaco 5.10.1973 16. 5.1977
Nauru 26. 7.1982 (Ac)
Nepal 1. 1.1973
Netherlanlands** 12. 4.1973 2.12.1977
New Zealand 20. 5.1973 30. 4.1975
Nigeria 19. 3.1976 (Ac)
Norway 29.12.1972 4. 4.1974
Oman 14. 3.1984 (Ac)
Papua New Guinea 11. 3.1980 (Ac)
Poland 23. 1.1979 (Ac)
Philippines 29.12.1972
Portugal 29.12.1972 14. 4.1978
Russian Federation 29.12.1972 17.11.1975
Seychelles 29.10.1984 (Ac)
Slovenia 20. 5.1992 (S)
Solomon Islands 6. 3.1984 (S)
South Africa 7. 8.1978 (Ac)
Spain 27. 4.1973 31. 7.1974
Suriname 21.10.1980 (Ac)
Sweden 29.12.1972 21. 2.1974
Switzerland 6. 6.1973 31. 7.1979
Togo 21.11.1973
Tunisia 13. 4.1976 (Ac)
United Arab Emirates 9. 4.1974 (Ac)
United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern
Ireland*** 29.12.1972 17.12.1975
United States of
America 29.12.1972 29. 4.1974
Yugoslavia 25. 6.1976 (Ac)
Zaire 16. 9.1975 (Ac)
* Extended to be effective in respect of the Feroe Islands from 15.11.1976.
** For the Kingdom of the Netherlands (all parts of the Kingdom).
*** Extended from this date to the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the
Isle of Man, Belize (now independent), Bermuda, the British Indian
Ocean Territory, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, the
Falkland Islands (Malvinas) and Dependencies, Hong Kong, Montserrat,
Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, Saint Helena and
Dependencies, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Ellice Islands (now
independent as Tuvalu) and the United Kingdom Sovereign Base Areas
of Akrotiri and Dhekelia on the island of Cyprus, and from 5. 3.1976
to the Bailiwick of Jersey.
*****
.