The Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer was adopted and opened for signature in Vienna on 22 March 1985 by the Conference on the Protection of the Ozone Layer. It was open for signature at the Federal Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Austria until 21 September 1985, then at United Nations Headquarters in New York until 21 March 1986. Six equally authentic languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. Depositary: the UN Secretary-General. UNTS No. 26164, volume 1513. It contains no binding reduction quotas; the Montreal Protocol of 16 September 1987 is a later, distinct instrument.

Article 1: the ozone layer is atmospheric ozone above the planetary boundary layer; adverse effects are significant deleterious changes to health, ecosystems or materials. Article 2: Parties take appropriate measures, according to their means and capabilities, to protect human health and the environment; they co-operate in observations, research and information exchange; they adopt legislative or administrative measures of control; and they co-operate in formulating protocols and annexes. This is not an industrial-chemistry handbook.

Article 3: research and systematic observations — processes that may affect ozone, health and climate effects, substances and practices, alternative technologies; data through world data centres. Article 4: exchange of information and transfer of technology, taking into account the needs of developing countries. Article 5: reports to the Conference of the Parties. Annexes I and II remain technical; they are not reproduced here.

Article 6: a Conference of the Parties, first meeting not later than one year after entry into force. Article 7: interim secretariat, the United Nations Environment Programme. Article 8: protocols. Article 17: entry into force on the ninetieth day after the twentieth instrument — 22 September 1988; an instrument deposited by a regional economic integration organization is not counted in addition to those of its member States. Article 18: no reservations.

The Conference resolution on a protocol concerning chlorofluorocarbons opened the way to Montreal. The Convention is a framework; quantitative controls come through protocols, not through the 1985 text.

Cover: the Hofburg in Vienna, a landmark of the city’s diplomatic conferences; UNTC records Vienna and the Austrian foreign ministry, not the hall. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer; Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer (UNTS 26164).