Convention On The Prevention of Marine Pollution By Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter - Implementation

Implementation

Since its entering into force in 1975, the Convention has provided a framework for international control and prevention of marine pollution within which the Contracting Parties have achieved continuous progress in keeping the oceans clean. Among its milestones are the 1993 ban on ocean disposal of low-level radioactive wastes and the resolutions to end the dumping and incineration of industrial wastes. The efforts of the Parties are supported by a permanent Secretariat hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). The Consultative Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the London Convention is the governing and political decision-making body of the Convention. It takes advice on issues needing multidisciplinary expertise from the Joint Group of Experts on Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP) which is composed of specialized experts nominated by the IMO, FAO, UNESCO, IOC, WMO, WHO, IAEA, UN, and UNEP. A Scientific Group on Dumping, composed of government experts from the parties to the Convention a responsible to address any scientific requests from the Consultative Meeting, including the preparation of lists of hazardous substances, developing guide-lines on the implementation of the Convention, and maintaining awareness of the impacts on the marine environments of inputs from all waste sources.

The Convention is implemented in the United States 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 the extent that this would not relax the MPRSA.