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London Convention
Formal name:"Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping
of Wastes and Other Matter"
Commonly called the "London Convention" or "LC '72"
Genesis
Called for by UN Stockholm Conference on the Human
Environment (June 1972)
Treaty drafted at Intergovernmental Conference on the
Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea (November 1972,
London)
Entered into force on August 30, 1975 when 15 nations ratified
(U.S. among them)
As of October 1, 2001, there were 78 Contracting Parties to
the Convention
Domestic Implementation
Implemented in U.S. through Title I of the Marine Protection,
Research and Sanctuaries Act (MPRSA) which directs that
implementing regulations are to apply binding requirements of
LC to extent this would not relax the MPRSA.
International Administration of LC
Overview of LC
- Covers the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter
from vessels, aircraft, platforms
- Does not cover:
- Discharges from land based sources such as pipes and
outfalls
- Wastes generated incidental to normal operation of vessels
- Placement of materials for purpose other than mere
disposal, provide such disposal is not contrary to aims of
the Convention
- Consists of 22 Articles and three Annexes
- Follows a "black list/grey list" approach to regulating ocean
dumping
- Annex I materials (black list) generally may not be ocean
dumped
- For certain Annex I materials, dumping may be
permissible if present only as "trace contaminants" or
"rapidly rendered harmless"
- Annex II materials (grey list) require "special care"
- Annex III lays out general technical factors to be considered in
establishing criteria for issuance of ocean dumping permits
International Maritime Organization
Contact information:
Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds
Oceans and Coastal Protection Division
202/566-1200
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