The london dumping convention

The London Dumping Convention , The First Decade and Beyond Provisions of the Convention on the Prevehtion of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (amended 1978, 1980 and 1989), and decisions made by the Consultative Meeting of its Contracting Parties (1975-1989) Prepared by the Office for the London Dumping Convention Foreword Published in 1991 by the INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION Albert Embankment, London SEI 7SR Printed by Watmoughs (City Print) Limited, London 24681097531 ISBN 92-801-1276-7 IMO PUBLICATION Sales number: IMO-532E Copyright © IMO 1991 All rights reserved No part of this publication may, for sales purposes, be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrostatic, magnetic tape, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without prior permission in writing from the International Maritime Organization by Mr D Tromp , Chairman, Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Dumping Convention The Contracting Parties to the London Dumping Convention have made substantial progress in achieving the Convention's goal of protecting the marine environment from the hazards of dumping The unregulated dumping that occurred before the Convention entered into force in 1975 has largely been halted The Contracting Parties to the Convention have implemented stringent regulatory programmes to assess the need for and the impacts of ocean disposal In some cases, the dumping of certain wastes has been eliminated or is in the process of being phased out The progress achieved within the framework of the London Dumping Convention towards the protection of the marine envir.onment has been due to the very active participation of Contracting Parties and-to their willingness to work closely together in order to solve problems related to the control of waste disposal at sea, as well as the excellent chairmanship provided by Mr H.R Bardarson of Iceland (1975-1979), Mr A Engstrom of Sweden (1980-1984), and Mr G.L Holland of Canada (1985-1989) With fifteen years of operational experience, the Contracting Parties have faced an array of challenges in their efforts to protect the marine environment There now resides within the London Dumping Convention substantial expertise on matters related specifically to the disposal of wastes at sea and on broader marine pollution issues Important refinements of allowable practices have been forged through discussions and debate at the Consultative Meetings of Contracting Parties to the Convention The climate for harmonizing environmental policies on an international scale is changing rapidly: more issues are being debated, with a higher intensity, and with tremendous implications for man's way of living In this regard, negotiations in the field of the protection of the marine environment are entering a new phase Although it is not yet clear what impulses the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development might give in 1992, the London Dumping Convention presumably will keep playing an important role in the field of protection of the marine environment, even in a new context This publication not only contains the decisions made by twelve Consultative Meetings during the period 1975-1989 but also reflects the political situation in the 1960s and early 1970s, when the London Dumping Convention was iii developed at the recommendation of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm, 1972) It further provides interpretations of the relevant provisions of the Convention, as agreed by the Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties It also contains the text of the Convention Contents Page The publication of this book was approved by the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention (London, 29 October - November 1990) The decisions made at the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting have not been included in the text, but will appear in a future supplement to this book However, in light of the very important decisions made at that meeting, a short overview is provided in an appendix to this publication In case the reader needs more detailed information, attention is drawn to the report of the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting, document LDC 13/15, which can be made available by the International Maritime Organization upon request Finally, on behalf of all Contracting Parties to the London Dumping Convention, I express my sincere thanks to the International Maritime Organization, which as the Secretariat of the Convention has so effectively promoted the aims and objectives of the Convention I am confident that the fruitful co-operation between the Organization and the Contracting Parties will continue I am particularly grateful to the Office for the London Dumping Convention, which prepared this book, thus furthering the aims of the Convention Part A The London Dumping Convention Final Act of the Inter-Governmental Conference on the Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter at Sea, 1972 19 26 28 Annex I Annex II Annex III Amendments to the Convention adopted by the Third ~onsultative Meeting of Contracting Parties in 1978 concerning proceelures for the settlement of disputes (not yet in force) 30 Resolution of the Inter-Governmental Conference on the Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea on assistance in accordance with article IX 37 Resolution responsible on the designation of a competent organization to be for Secretariat duties in relation to the Convention (adopted by Contracting Parties in 1975) 37 Part B Origin, scope, provisions and implementation Introduction 1.1 The international 1.2 The Stockholm 1.3 Forms of marine pollution 1.4 Outline of international conventions for the prevention and control of marine pollution 46 Co-operation 52 1.5 iv of the Convention 41 (1972) 42 44 legal framework Conference and future developments v Institutional arrangements 55 6.1 Secretariat 115 What is dumped and the problems involved 56 6.2 Consultative Meetings 116 2.3 Status of the Convention 64 6.3 Scientific advisory bodies 2.4 General provisions 64 6.4 2.5 Definitions and areas of application 65 Participation of non-governmental international organizations 118 Joint meetings 118 Basic provisions of the Convention 6.5 119 General constraints on dumping 67 6.6 National administrations .• 3.1 3.2 List of substances contained in the Annexes to the Convention Relations with other international agreements 67 7.1 Relations with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 120 7.2 Relations with regional agreements 121 7.3 Compatibility of provisions of regional agreements and the global Convention 122 Concluding remarks Origin and scope of the London Dumping Convention 2.1 Preparation and adoption of the Convention 2.2 ,117 Definitions and interpretations of terms in Annexes and II 70 3.4 Criteria for the allocation of substances to the Annexes 72 3.5 List of hazardous substances 74 Implementation 4.1 Permits for dumping 76 4.2 Criteria for issuing permits 77 4.3 Exceptions to general requirements for permit issuance 78 4.4 Amendment procedures 83 4.5 Compliance and enforcement requirements 85 4.6 Liability 93 Annex 1: List of Contracting Parties and status of amendments to the Convention 4.7 Settlement of disputes 95 Annex 2: 4.8 Signature of states and entry into force of the Convention 96 4.9 Promotion of technical assistance 97 Specific dumping requirements and asse~sments 5.1 Dumping and incineration vessels 100 5.2 Disposal of offshore installations and structures 100 5.3 Tankers converted into floating oily waste reception facilities 101 Annex 5: Annex III of the London Dumping Convention 5.4 Radioactive wastes 102 Annex 6: 5.5 Incineration at sea 108 5.6 Dredged material 111 5.7 Transboundary 3.3 \ movements vi Part C Annexes : 113 List of international organizations with observer status Annex 3: Amendments to the Guidelines for the Allocation of Substances to Annexes (resolution LDC.3I(ll)) Annex 4: : 124 Annex 7: Procedure and method of approach for preparing and maintaining a list of hazardous substances or groups of substances (LDC VII2, annex 4) , 131 134 135 140 142 Guidelines for the implementation and uniform interpretation of Annex III of the London Dumping Convention (resolution LDC.32(J 1)) 144 Interim procedures and criteria for determining emergency situations (LDC VII2, annex 5) 155 vii Annex 8: Annex 9: Annex 10: Annex Annex Annex Annex 11: 12: 13: 14: Guidelines for the implementation of paragraphs and of Annex I of the London Dumping Convention (resolution LDC.24(10)) Procedures for the circulation of proposed amendments to the London Dumping Convention (resolution LDC.9(V)) Procedure for preparation and consideration of amendments to Annexes to the London Dumping Convention (resolution LDC.JO(V)) Annex 21: 160 167 168 Procedure for the notification of permits issued for the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea (LDC.12116, annex 2) 170 Report of the disposal of wastes or other matter carried out at sea (LDC IVI12, annex 6) 174 Annex 22: Annex 23: Annex 24: Annex 25: Annex 26: Reporting of monitoring activities carried out in accordance with article VI(1)(d) of the London Dumping Convention (LDC 10115, annex 7) 175 Guidelines for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Hazardous Liquid Wastes in Bulk for the Purpose of Dumping at Sea (resolution A.582(14)) Annex 27: Annex 28: 177 Annex 29: Annex 15: Annex Annex 16: 17: Annex 18: Annex 19: Annex 20: Requirements for ships engaged in the incineration at sea of liquid chemical waste (1983 amendments to SOLAS 74, vol II, chapter 19) Interpretation of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 in respect of ships engaged in dumping operations and explanatory notes thereto (MEPC 25120, annex 5) 194 Annex 30: Annex 31: 199 Annex 32: Studies and assessments pursuant to resolution LDC.21(9) (resolution LDC.28(10)) 210 Addendum to Annex I of the Convention: Regulations for the control of incineration of wastes and other matter at sea (resolution LDC.5(III)) ,213 Interim technical guidelines on the control of incineration of wastes and other matter at sea (resolution LDC.33(11)) 219 Guidelines for the surveillance of cleaning operations carried out at sea on board incineration vessels (resolution LDC.34(11)) 227 Interpretation of Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 in respect of incinerator ships (MEPC 23122, annex 7) 230 Preliminary procedures for the implementation of paragraphs and of Annex I to the London Dumping Convention for the purpose of incineration at sea '.' 233 Status of incineration of noxious liquid ~astes (resolution LDC.35(11)) 235 at sea Guidelines for the application of the Annexes to the disposal of dredged material (resolution LDC.23(10)) 239 Export of wastes for disposal at sea (resolution LDC.29(10)) 246 Rules of procedure for Consultative and Special Meetings 248 Participation of non-governmental international organizations in meetings of the London Dumping Convention 257 Administrations responsible for the control of dumping at sea 259 Draft New Assessment Procedure 264 Guidelines and standards for the removal of offshore installations and structures on the continental shelf and in the Exclusive Economic Zone (LDC 111812) 202 1986 revision of the IAEA definition and recommendations for the sea disposal of radioactive waste 206 Appendix Disp(Jsal of radioactive wastes and other radioactive matter at sea (resolution LDC.14(7)) 207 Results of the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention (29 October - November 1990) 281 Dumping of radioactive wastes at sea (resolution LDC.21(9)) Index 283 208 viii - Annex 33: IX Part A The London Dumping Convention, 1972 Final Act of the Inter-Governmental Conference on the Convention on the Dumping of Wastes at Sea , London, 30 October to 13 November 1972 I Representatives of the Governments of Afghanistan, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, the Byelorussian SSR, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Denmark, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, the Gambia, the Federal Republic of Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, the Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Liberia, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, the Philippine~, Portugal, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, the Somali Democratic Republic, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, the Ukrainian SSR, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, and Zambia; Observers from the Governments of Burma, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Guyana, the Khmer Republic, Malta, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Turkey, the Republic of Viet-Nam, Yugoslavia and Zaire; and Observers of the Commission of the European Communities, the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization, * the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, the International Atomic Energy Agency, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the World Meteorological Organization, accepted the invitation extended to them by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to participate in an Inter-Governmental Conference The SecretaryGeneral of the United Nations was also represented at the Conference The Conference was called for the purpose of giving consideration to draft articles and annexes of a Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution * With effect from 22 May 1982 the name of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization was changed, by virtue of amendments to the Organization's Convention, to "International Maritime Organization" by Dumping prepared at earlier inter-governmental meetings of limited membership, with a view to completing the text of a Convention which might be opened for signature before the end of 1972 Conference and for its preparation; and to the Chairman of the Conference, Dr M W Holdgate, for his efforts in bringing about a successful conclusion to its work; The Conference met at Lancaster House, London, from 30 October to 13 November 1972 Dr M W Holdgate, leader of the delegation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, was elected Chairman His Excellency Senor Don Vicente Sanchez Gavito, the leader of the delegation of Mexico and Mr N N Jha, the leader of the delegation of India, were elected Vice-Chairmen Dr D L Simms served as Secretary-General To authorize the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to publish the Final Act of this Conference and the text 'of the Convention annexed hereto in the four working languages of the Conference together with the other documents of the Conference As a result of its deliberations the Conference adopted, subject to linguistic verification of the English, French, Russian and Spanish texts, the text of a Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, which is annexed to this Final Act as is a separate technical memorandum* and a resolution on support for parties requesting assistance in order to fulfil their obligations under the Convention IN WITNESS WHEREOF the following Representatives have signed this Final Act * DONE at London, this 13th day of November 1972, in a single original copy in each of the four working languages, to be deposited in the archives of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland which shall transmit a certified copy thereof to all the other Governments participating in the Conference The Conference entrusted the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with the task of collating any comments of a purely linguistic character submitted before 10 December 1972, by Governments participating in the Conference and thereafter ensuring, in collaboration with the Governments of France, Spain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the linguistic consistency of the text in the English, French, Russian and Spanish languages, which would then become the authoritative text of the Convention in these four languages II THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE ON THE CONVENTION ON THE DUMPING OF WASTES AT SEA RESOLVES: To open the Convention for signature from 29 December 1972until 31 December 1973; To express its gratitude to the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland for their initiative in convening the present * The technical memorandum, which described the special methods of disposal of small quantities of inorganic compounds of mercury and cadmium required until 30 August 1980•.has been omitted from this edition * Signatures omitted Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THIS CONVENTION, , RECOGNIZING that the marine environment and the living organisms which it supports are of vital importance to humanity, and all people have an interest in assuring that it is so managed that its quality and resources are not impaired; RECOGNIZING that the capacity of the sea to assimilate wastes and render them harmless, and its ability to regenerate natural resources, is not unlimited; RECOGNIZING that States have, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies, and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control not cause damage to the environment of other States or, of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction; \ RECALLING resolution 2749 (XXV) of the General Assembly of the United Nations on the principles governing the sea-bed and the ocean floor and the subsoil thereof, beyond the limits of national jurisdiction; NOTING that marine pollution originates in many sources, such as dumping and discharges through the atmosphere, rivers, estuaries, outfalls and pipelines, and that it is important that States use the best practicable means to prevent such pollution and develop products and processes which will reduce the amount of harmful wastes to be disposed of; BEING CONVINCED that international action to control the pollution of the sea by dumping can and must be taken without delay but that this action should not preclude discussion of measures to control other sources of marine pollution as soon as possible; and WISHING to improve protection of the marine environment by encouraging States with a common interest in particular geographical areas to enter into appropriate agreements supplementary to this Convention; HAVE AGREED as follows: Article I Contracting Parties shall individually and collectively promote the effective control of all sources of pollution of the marine environment, and pledge themselves especially to take all practicable steps to prevent the pollution of the sea by the dumping of waste and other matter that is liable to create hazards to human health, to harm living resources and marine life, to damage amenities or to interfere with other legitimate uses of the sea "Vessels and aircraft" means waterborne or airborne craft of any type whatsoever This expression includes air cushioned craft and floating craft, whether self-propelled or not "Sea" "Wastes or other matter" or description "Special permit" means permission granted specifically on application advance and in accordance with Annex II and Annex III "General permit" with Annex III "The Organization" means the Organization Parties in accordance with article XIV(2) Article II Contracting Parties shall, as provided for in the following articles, take effective measures individually, according to their scientific, technical and economic capabilities, and collectively, to prevent marine pollution caused by dumping and shall harmonize their policies in this regard Article III For the purposes (a) (b) "Dumping" means material and substance of any kind, form in means permission granted in advance and in accordance designated by the Contracting Article IV of this Convention: 1 means all marine waters other than the internal waters of States means: In accordance with the provisions of this Conven'tion Contracting Parties shall prohibit the dumping of any wastes or other m'atter in whatever form or condition except as otherwise specified below: (i) any deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matter from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea; (a) (ii) any deliberate disposal at sea of vessels, aircraft, other man-made structures at sea (b) the dumping of wastes or other matter listed in Annex II requires a prior special permit; "Dumping" platforms or does not include: (i) the disposal at sea of wastes or other matter incidental to, or derived from the normal operations of vessels, aircraft, platforms, or other man-made structures at sea and their equipment, other than wastes or other matter transported by or to vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made structures at sea, operating for the purpose of disposal of such matter or derived from the treatment of such wastes or other matter on such vessels, aircraft, platforms or structures; (c) the dumping permit of all other wastes or matter requires a prior general Any permit shall be issued only after careful consideration of all the factors set forth in Annex III, including prior studies of the characteristics of the dumping site, as set forth in sections Band C of that Annex No provision of this Convention is to be interpreted as preventing a Contracting Party from prohibiting, insofar as that Party is concerned, the dumping of wastes or other matter not mentioned in Annex I That Party shall notify such measures to the Organization (ii) placement of matter for a purpose other than the mere disposal thereof, provided that such placement is not contrary to the aims of this Convention (c) The disposal of wastes or other matter directly arising from, or related to the explpration, exploitation and associated off-shore processing of seabed mineral resources will not be covered by the provisions of this Convention the dumping of wastes or other matter listed in Annex I is prohibited; Article V The provisions of article IV shall not apply when it is necessary to secure the safety of human life or of vessels, aircraft, platforms or other man-made Characteristics 5.3.4 Guidelines for the Implementation and Uniform Interpretation of Annex III (resolution LDC.32(11» contain detailed information on the appropriate technical guidance required for Boxes and of the Procedure Examples of parameters to be measured under the provisions of Boxes and are: origin, total amount and average composition; form; properties: physical, chemical, biochemical and biological; toxicity; persistence: physical, chemical and biological; and accumulation and biotransformation in biological materials or sediments For detailed technical guidance, reference should be made to resolutions LDC.23(1O) on dredged material, LDC.24(10) on implementation of paragraphs and of Annex I, LDC.31(1l) on allocation of substances to the Annexes and document LDC.I2/7 on control of incineration at sea Action List 5.3.5 The Action List is a screening mechanism for comparing properties and constituents of waste material with a set of criteria that addresses substances, including those listed in Annexes I and II to the Convention, experience gained with the relevant categories of waste, and on published scientific research relating to the potential effects on human health or the marine environment Two criteria are defined in the Action List, an upper and lower level, giving three possible actions: wastes presenting a combination of specific substances, and biological responses in specified tests, in excess of the relevant upper levels would generally be considered unsuitable for disposal at sea; wastes presenting a combination of specified substances, or biological responses in specified tests, below the relevant lower levels would generally be considered of little environmental concern for disposal at sea; and wastes of intermediate quality would constitute those that require more detailed assessment before their suitability for disposal at sea could be determined 5.3.6 However, for certain waste types for which neither chemical nor biological properties are relevant (e.g construction rubble) a single action level may be appropriate 5.3.7 For each of the waste parameters relevant for an individual waste category, it may be possible to define national action levels for practical application in the screening process The relevant lower level might be set on the basis of numerical concentration limits, biological responses, environmental quality standards or other reference values For the upper level, where an unacceptable environmental consequence might be predicted, the criterion must be defined in terms of biological responses observed in at least two tests (such as toxicity and accumulation or toxicity and degradability) with, in some circumstances, qualifications related to load and flux considerations 270 .4 Dredged material: Environmental concerns: Impact of heavy metals and man-made substances on marine organisms Lower criterion: Taking into consideration local geology and geochemistry, the concentration of Annex I and Annex II metals should not exceed typical concentrations in uncontaminated clays For man-made substances, no detectable accumulation of specified compounds in a standard exposure test should be observed Acute toxicity of the material should not exceed r j 0/0 v/v and organisms exposed to the dredged material in standard bioaccumulation tests should not increase their total body burden by [ j% for natural substances and [ ]% for synthetic substances Upper criterion: 5.4 Dumpsite/Disposal 504.3 Some of the important amenities to be protected and whose geographical position must be stipulated prior to deciding upon the specific location of the dumpsite are: Methods (Box 7) the shoreline with its possible bathing beaches; areas of natural beauty or significant cultural or historical importance; areas of special scientific or biological importance, such as sanctuaries; sport and commercial fishing areas, both pelagic and benthic; finfish and shellfish spawning areas; known migration routes of fish and mammals; seasonal habitats; shipping lanes; military exclusion zones; and 10 engineering uses of the seafloor, including mining, undersea cables, desalination or energy conversion sites Site selection considerations Size of the dumpsite Proper selection of a disposal site at sea for the reception of waste is of paramount importance Clearly, finding disposal sites that will minimize disturbances to the environment without producing undue economic burdens is a difficult problem faced by all authorities involved in the permitting process 504.1 5.4.4 504.2 Guidance for procedures to be followed in dumpsite selection can be found in Annex III to the London Dumping Convention and in a report of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Pollution (GESAMP Reports and Studies No.16 - Scientific Criteria for the Selection of Waste Disposal Sites at Sea) Prior to selecting a dump site it is essential that data be available on the oceanographic characteristics of the general area in which the site is to be located This information can be obtained from the literature but field work should be undertaken to fill the gaps Useful assistance in fulfilling the objectives of field studies can be found in the above referenced GESAMP report and the Guidelines for the Implementation and Uniform Interpretation of Annex III to the London Dumping Convention Field studies should provide data on: the nature of the sea-bed, including its topography, geochemical and geological characteristics, its biological constituency and activity, and the possible existence of residues of heavy metals and organic carbon remaining from any prior dumping in the area; the physical nature of the water column, including water depth, possible existence of a thermo-pycnocline and how it varies in depth with season and weather conditions, tidal period and orientation of the tidal ellipse, mean direction and velocity of the surface and bottom drifts, velocities of stormwave induced bottom currents, general wind and wave characteristics, and the average number and source of storm days per year; and the chemical nature of the water column, including temperature, pH, salinity, dissolved Gxygen at surface and bottom, chemical and biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen present in organic and mineral form (ammonia), suspended matter, other nutrients and productivity 272 Size of the dumpsite is an important consideration for at least three reasons: it should be large enough, unless it is an appro\ed dispersion site, to have the bulk of the material remain either within the site limits or within a predicted area of impact after disposal; it should be large enough to accommodate anticipated volumes of solid waste and/or for liquid wastes to be diluted to background levels before or upon reaching site boundaries; it should be large enough in relation to planned volumes for disposal so that it would serve its function for many years; and A it should be compatible with the general properties of the material to be dumped 504.5 Nevertheless, the site should not be so large that the act of carrying out monitoring investigations would require undue expenditure of time and money In this context, it is advised that when data gathering has ended, a few biological and possibly physical parameters should be selected that can be quantified to form the basis for pursuant monitoring studies At the same time it is advised to formulate predictive hypotheses arranged in tiers that would guide the assessment of the suitability of the new site 5.5 Consider Contribution to Local and Regional Land-Sea Fluxes (Box 8) 5.5.1 An important consideration in determining the suitability of a waste for sea disposal at a specific site is whether the disposal will result in environmental exposure to substances at concentrations such that, over time, deleterious effects are likely to occur 5.5.2 Environmental exposure can be determined through an estimation of the distribution and concentration (including trends in these factors) of a substance in all 273 ·3 relevant environmental compartments The potential exposure includes an estimation of the contribution of dumping to flux, i.e throughput of a substance in mass per unit area per unit time, through a defined geographical area 5.5.3 Fluxes of concern are those that, for instance, involve persistent natural substances which as a result of anthropogenic activity, either greatly exceed natural fluxes or result predominantly from such activity Due consideration should be given to the potential differences in the chemical form of substances as they occur in nature and in the relevant waste For example, compounds of natural substances that otherwise not exist in the marine environment should be regarded as synthetic materials In such cases, if it can be predicted that dumping will significantly increase the existing input flux, dumping at the site under consideration should be deemed inadvisable Disposal methods 5.6.4 In all disposal options some contaminants will escape by one or more routes Contaminant mobility is dependent upon several factors, among which are: 5.5.4 In cases of substances for which no natural flux exists (e.g persistent synthetics), the incremental increase on present fluxes may not provide a suitable reference for decisions 5.6 Optimize Disposal Techniques (Box 9) Optimization in disposal 5.6.1 Intrinsic to all regulations dealing with waste disposal at sea are scientifically derived limits on the environmental changes that are permitted to occur Although these limits set the highest legal level of exposure of critical constituents of the environment to wastes, regulators should strive at all times to enforce procedures that will minimize environmental changes as far below the limits as practicable, taking into account technological capabilities as well as economic, social, and political concerns This principle of optimization should be applied to the disposal of all wastes, and to all stages of the process from the selection of the disposal site to the actual methods of disposal, such that environmental disturbance and detriment are minimized and benefits maximized Special care 5.6.2 To achieve this goal, special care measures should be exercised in all processes involved in the handling of all types of wastes Special care can begin with deciding upon the specific location of the dump site and perhaps end with developing and implementing carefully designed monitoring studies to ensure that the effects of disposal have not exceeded those envisaged in the predictive hypotheses guiding the monitoring process 5.6.3 Special care measures may also involve temporal characteristics whereby critical times of the year (~.g for marine life) can be established when disposal at sea should not proceed This consideration leaves "windows" or "periods" when it is expected that disposal operations will have less impact than at other times If these restrictions become too burdensome and costly, there should be some opportunity for compromise in which priorities may have to be established concerning species to be left wholly undisturbed Examples of such biological considerations are: periods closed to disposal when marine biota are migrating from one part of the ecosystem to another (e.g from estuary to open sea or vice versa) and growiI;lg and breeding periods; periods when marine organisms are hibernating on or buried in the sediments; and 274 periods when particularly sensitive and possibly endangered species are impacted .1 specific contaminant; solvent; type of matrix; physical state of the system, e.g temperature, waterflow, pH, etc.; chemical concentration levels; length of diffusion and convection pathways; and biological activities, e.g bioturbation 5.6.5 In considering all of the above factors for dredged material, there are several that lend themselves to management As an example, it is possible to increase the length of the diffusion and convention pathways by capping, Le covering the disposal mound with material of a known clean layer of sand, silt or clay Capping has been carried out successfully in water depths up to approximately 40 mettes Capping has also been used to reclaim estuarine sea-beds in areas contaminated with seMlge residues and unlikely to be dredged 5.6.6 Capping can also be done over material that has been disposed of at sea into natural or man-made pits In some places such pits have been created by sand mining More recently disposal has been carried out in pits directly adjacent to wharves, thus reducing handling and transportation costs substantially In relatively shallow water it is possible to reduce sediment losses by disposing to the sea floor through a pipe equipped with a diffusor that spreads material near the bottom with minimal water column interaction Disposal operations 5.6.7 In order to assess the capacity of a new site, especially for solid wastes, the following should be taken into consideration: 5.7 the anticipated IO,adingrates per day, week or month; whether or not it is a dispersive site; and the allowable reduction in water depth over the site because of mounding of material Impact Assessment: Derive Hypothesis (Box 10) 5.7.1 At this stage in the procedure, all relevant information from the preceding steps is used to assess the nature and extent of impacts on the marine environment resulting from the planned disposal operation More specifically, the assessment should integrate 275 information on waste characteristics (Boxes, 4, and 6), proposed disposal site(s) conditions (Box 7), fluxes (Box 8) and disposal techniques (Box 9) If this assessment reveals that adequate information is not available to determine the likely environmental effects of the proposed dumping then a permit should not be granted 5.7.2 As part of the impact assessment process, it may be appropriate to prepare additional Impact Assessments of alternative disposal options (see resolution LDC.32(11) on Guidance for the Application of Annex III) An analysis of the other disposal options, including land disposal, should be considered in the light of a comparative assessment of the following concerns: human health risks, environmental costs, hazards (including accidents), economics and exclusion of future uses If the interpretation of the comparative Impact Assessment shows the ocean alternative to be less preferable, a licence for sea disposal should not be given 5.7.3 The final stage of each impact assessment explicitly requires a concluding statement in support of a decision to issue a permit This should aim to provide a concise, scientific analysis of the effects on man, living resources and other legitimate uses of the sea It should clearly indicate the temporal and spatial scales of these effects This statement, referred to hereinafter as the Impact Hypothesis, will also constitute the logical basis for any subsequent monitoring (Boxes 11 and 13) 5.7.4 In constructing an Impact Hypothesis particular attention should be given to, but not limited to, potential impacts on: amenities (e.g presence of floatables), sensitive areas (e.g spawning, nursery or feeding areas), habitat (e.g biological, chemical and physical modification), migratory patterns and marketability of resources (e.g tainting) For a more detailed discussion see also resolutions LDC.23(1O) and LDC.32(11) 5.7.5 Consideration should also be given to potential impacts on other uses of the sea including: fishing, navigation, engineering uses, areas of special concern and value, and traditional uses of the sea such as subsistence fisheries 5.7.6 Even the least complex and most innocuous wastes may have a variety of physical, chemical and biological effects A concise Impact Hypothesis cannot, and should not, attempt to reflect them all It must be recognized, however, that even the most comprehensive impact hypothesis may not address all possible scenarios such as unanticipated impacts It is therefore imperative that the monitoring programme be linked directly to the hypothesis and serve as a feedback mechanism to verify the predictions and to review the adequacy of management measures applied to the disposal operation and the disposal site 5.7.7 The preliminary evaluation should be as comprehensive as possible The primary areas of potential impact should be those identified during the dumpsite/disposal method analysis (Box 7) and are those considered to have the most serious consequences for human health and the environment Alterations to the physical environment, risks to human health, devaluation of marine resources, and interference with other legitimate uses of the sea are often seen as priorities in this regard 5.7.8 The expected consequences of disposal (targets) should be described in terms of habitats, processes, species, communities and uses affected The precise nature of the change, response, or iaterference (effect) predicted should then be described The target and the effect together should be described (quantified) in sufficient detail so that there would be no doubt as to the parameters to be measured during post-operational monitoring In the latter context, it would be essential to determine "where" and "when" the impacts can be expected 276 5.7.9 Emphasis should be placed on biological effects such as habitat modification as well as physical or chemical change However, if the potential effect is due to persistent chemical substances, the following factors should be addressed: estimates of statistically significant increases of the substance in seawater, sediments, or biota in relation to existing conditions and associated effects; and estimate of the contribution made by the substance to local and regional fluxes and the degree to which existing fluxes pose threats or adverse effects on the marine environment or human health 5.7.10 In the case of repeat or multiple disposals, the Impact Hypothesis should take into account the cumulative effects of the operation It will also be important to consider the possible interactions with other waste disposal practices in the area, both existing or planned 5.7.11 Ultimately, the Impact Hypothesis should provide the basis and a practical approach for field or compliance monitoring In certain cases, the hypothesis might suggest that no or very limited monitoring is necessary However, where monitoring is required, the targets, effects, and parameters described in the hypothesis should help to guide field and analytical work so that relevant information can be obtained in the most efficient and cost-effective manner Monitoring is addressed further in the description of Boxes 11 and 13 5.8 Identify Compliance Monitoring Priorities (Box 11) an~ Monitoring (Box 13) 5.8.1 Monitoring is an integral part of managing waste disposal activities in the marine environment Monitoring is used to verify that permit conditions are met and that the assumptions made during the permit review and site selection process were correct and sufficient to protect the environment Monitoring activities provide an important feedback to the assessment or permit review phase, and permit terms and conditions can be modified, as necessary, to ensure that marine life and human health are protected 5.8.2 Monitoring for the purposes of the Convention are those measurements performed to demonstrate that dumping (including incineration at sea) is in compliance with the overall intent of the Convention and the requirements of the Annexes The derivation of the Impact Hypothesis (Box 10) establishes the framework for a monitoring programme When formulating a monitoring programme, the following important questions must be answered: what are the objectives of the monitoring programme? what exactly is to be measured? why is a particular variable (physical, chemical, biological) to be measured? how can such measurements be achieved? in what compartment or locations should measurements be made? what should be the temporal and spatial scale of measurements made to test the hypothesis? how should the data be managed and interpreted in relation to the decision process? 277 .8 have steps been taken to assure the quality of the data and are there statistical procedures to test the reliability of any conclusions concerning the changes or effects that have occurred? 5.8.3 It is essential that the monitoring programme should have clearly defined objectives, that the measurements to be made are designed to be usable in meeting these objectives, and that the results be reviewed at regular intervals in relation to these objectives The monitoring should then be started, continued, revised or even terminated, as appropriate 5.9 The Prior Notification Procedure (PNP) 5.9.1 The PNP provides a forum for addressing those dumping operations which may prove unacceptable in a regional context (for example where risks not accrue to the same Contracting Party, or where disagreements may exist on acceptable alterations to regional fluxes) 5.9.2 Contracting Parties are invited to consider appropriate regional mechanisms 5.804 A useful tool in evaluating possible effects of sea disposal is the testing of "null" hypothesis Null hypotheses generally state that: Dumping activity X will not cause a particular component of the ocean ecosystem (e.g body burdens of PCB in fish tissues, coliform concentration, turbidity, species diversity, population) to change by a specified amount at a specifiC location or in a specific area Target parameters should be selected from a thorough review of Boxes - and limited to those deemed significant to a certain impact, location or waste material 5.8.5 Once null hypotheses are selected, a monitoring approach should be selected that ensures the collection of all data necessary to test the hypothesis A tiered monitoring approach can be a useful tool in this regard Tiered monitoring first addresses relatively simple questions involving a limited number of parameters and then proceeds to more difficult and environmentally complex questions that may include a corresponding increase in parameters measured For example, a general approach that may be employed is to initially monitor near-field fate and short-term effects, and finally, far-field fate and long-term effects 5.8.6 Parameters chosen for monitoring should provide a direct link between null hypotheses and the need for management information Parameters selected for monitoring generally have the following characteristics: socially, commercially, and environmentally meaningful; sensitive to the impact; relatively constant in the unaffected, control situation; and A cost-effective to monitor 5.8.7 Monitoring the effects of disposal at sea on living marine resources is difficult because the relevant parameters fluctuate on many temporal and spatial scales Spatial variability can range from centimetres to thousands of kilometres Temporal variability is caused by daily, seasonal, and long-term climatic cycles The natural variability in parameters should be considered in developing an effective monitoring programme, especially since natural variability may exceed or obscure the response from the disposal operation 5.8.8 Once a monitoring programme is underway, results should be used to modify the sampling and analysis plan Results should also provide feedback to the permitting and dump site selection Decisions might include continuing, modifying or revoking permits; and maintaining, changing or withdrawing the dumpsite for further use 278 279 Appendix Overview of the main work accomplished by the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting Introduction The Thirteenth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Dumping Convention met at IMO Headquarters, London, from 29 October to November 1990 The Meeting was attended by delegates from 43 Contracting Parties, by observers from six States not yet Contracting Parties and representatives from 15 international organizations The report of the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting (LDC 13/15) is available from IMO The following paragraphs provide a summary of the important decisions made by the Thirteenth Consultative Meeting Incineration of wastes at sea The Consultative Meeting noted that the last incineration vessel of a fleet of five ships will be decommissioned by the end of 1990 This is due to the many efforts of Contracting Parties which have practised this waste disposal option to finClalternative environmentally safer land-based options The question arose whether the wo~ related to an evaluation of incineration at sea, which was decided by the Twelfth Consultative Meeting, would still need to be carried out The Meeting decided to continue the evaluation process and accordingly requested the Secretariat to start the programme The programme will include a global waste management survey that will be carried out in co-operation with Contracting Parties and other relevant United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations Disposal at sea of industrial wastes The Consultative Meeting adopted a resolution on the phasing out of such practices by 31 December 1995 In this connection several delegations expressed concern on the consequences of such a decision Taking into account the global waste management survey agreed to for the evaluation of incineration at sea (above), the Consultative Meeting requested the Secretariat to include in the global waste survey aspects of the phasing out of all industrial waste dumping As a further step, the Contracting Parties agreed to help developing countries to modify their industrial processes so as to reduce the amount of wastes generated, to help in the recycling of wastes and to assist in the development of alternative methods of disposal Development of a long-term strategy for the London Dumping Convention The Consultative Meeting considered the various proposals concerning the improvement of the effective implementation of the Convention and the enhancement of the membership of the Convention The Meeting further considered how the protection of the marine environment at a global level from sources other than dumping at sea and shipping, both being regulated under IMO, could be achieved In this respect it was noted that the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) 281 will address this matter, in particular with regard to the protection of the marine environment from land-based sources The Meeting agreed that other sources, such as off-shore installations and deep sea mining, should also be brought to the attention of UNCED The Consultative Meeting further noted that the Secretariat of the London Dumping Convention, in co-operation with the Contracting Parties of that Convention, has been requested by the Preparatory Committee of UNCED to prepare a report on the achievements and future development of the London Dumping Convention The Consultative Meeting in this respect adopted a statement together with a resolution addressing UNCED In this resolution the meeting recommends that a global mechanism be developed to co-ordinate the protection of the marine environment from all sources, taking into account existing international agreements, such as those related to accidental and operational pollution from vessels, dumping, pollution from land-based sources, atmospheric pollution, offshore industry, and disposal into the sea-bed, as well as mechanisms for the transfer of technology and financial resources, and arrangements concerning liability and compensation Disposal of wastes into the sea-bed The Consultative Meeting considered at length whether this method of disposal would constitute "dumping" under the terms of the London Dumping Convention, recalling that in 1986 the Tenth Consultative Meeting had agreed that the Consultative Meeting was the appropriate forum to address this question, notwithstanding the divided opinions at that time as to whether such practice would be "dumping" as defined in the Convention The Thirteenth Consultative Meeting decided that the disposal of wastes into the sea-bed accessed from the sea, i.e from ships, platforms, artificial islands, aircraft, should indeed be considered as "dumping" under the terms of the London Dumping Convention A resolution was adopted by vote at which 29 Contracting Parties supported the resolution, four voted against the proposal and four abstained Transboundary movement of hazardous wastes The Consultative Meeting considered the relationship between the London Dumping Convention and the recently adopted Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, 1989 It adopted a resolution which calls upon Contracting Parties to also become Parties to the Basel Convention, and to prohibit or not to permit the export of wastes for dumping at sea to States not party to the Convention Disposal at sea of offshore installations and structures The Consultative Meeting agreed that the abandonment of decommissioned offshore installations and structures and the toppling of such installations and structures at site must be regarded as "dumping" under the terms of the London Dumping Convention This indeed means that the respective national administration would have to issue dumping permits for such practices 282 GESAMP pollution definition scientific advice from view on "harmlessness" Grey list (Annex II) Guidelines allocation of substances to Annexes Annex I, paragraphs and Annex III determining emergencies dredging incineration at sea monitoring offshore platform disposal oily waste reception facilities radioactive wastes Harmlessness Hazardous substances Helsinki Convention IAEA Annex 1(6) definition of radioactive waste evaluations IMO (IMCO) designation as Secretariat functions reporting to requests for participation Sub-Committee on Bulk Chemicals Incineration at sea amount incinerated Annex 1(10) Chapter Page 1.2, 3.4 6.3 4.3.3 3.2 42-43, 72 117 81 69-70 3.4; annexes 3, 72-73,135-139,140-141 3.2,3.3,4.3.3,4.3.4, 5.5, 5.6; annexes 8, 26, 28 4.2, 5.5, 5.6, 8; annex 60,70-71,80-81,82, 110, 111-113, 160-166, 233-234, 239-345 3.5; annex 1.4.2, 1.5,7.2 77-78, 110,111-113, 124-125, 144-154 79-80, 155-159 111-113,239-245 109-110, 144-154, 194-198, 213-218, 219-226, 227-229, 230-232, 233-239 85-86, 86-88, 88-92, 144-154, 175-176 100-101, 202-205 101-102 102-104 68,70-71,80-81, 110, 111-113, 160-166, 233-234, 239-245 74-75, 140-141 51,52, 122 3.2 3.3, 5.4; annex 18 5.4, 6.3, 6.5 68 72, 102-104, 206 104, 110, 118-119 2.1, 6.1 6.1; annex 30 4.3.1,4.3.2,4.3.5, 4.5, 6.1 6.2, 6.4; annexes 30, 31 5.1,5.5 56, 115 115-116,248-256 78-79,79-80,82, 85-92, 115-116 116, 118, 248-256, 257-258 100, 109 4.3.2; annex 5.6; annex 28 5.5; annexes 6, 15, 22-26 4.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.5.3; annexes 6, 13 5.2; annex 17 5.3 5.4 3.2,3.3,4.3.3,5.5, 5.6; annexes 8,26,28 2.2 3.2; annexes 22, 23, 26 286 63 68-69, 108-110,213-218, 219-226, 233-244 Incineration at sea (continued) definition of evaluations export for Chapter Page 2.5.2 5.5; annex 27; Appendix 5.5,5.7; annexes 27,29 66 110-111,235-238,281 110, 113-114,235-238, 246-247 85-86, 86-88 reporting requirements/ procedures technical guidelines/ regulations 4.5.1,4.5.2 vessels 5.1,5.5; annexes 15, 24, 25 2.2; Appendix Industrial wastes International Atomic Energy Agency, see IAEA International Maritime Organization see IMO Jeddah Convention Joint meetings Kuwait Convention Land-based alternatives Land-based sources of pollution amount Helsinki Convention Montreal Guidelines Paris Convention status of control Legal Experts, ad hoc Group of Lex posterior rule Lex specialis rule Liability Lima Convention Loading port State enforcement permits London Dumping Convention adoption of amendment procedures Annexes to basic provisions Contracting Parties 5.5; annexes 6, 15, 22-26 108-109, 144-154, 194-198, 213-218, 219-226, 227-229, 230-232, 233-234 100, 108-109, 194-198, 227-229, 230-232 60-61, 281, 282 1.4.2 1.5,5.5,5.6,6.5,7.2 1.4.2 • 3.2,4.2,4.5.3,5.5, 5.6, 8; annexes 5, \ 50 52, 108, 110, 112, 118-119, 121-123 48 70,77-78,89-92, 110, 112-113, 124-125, 142-143, 144-154 1.3 1.4 1.4.1 1.4 1.4,8; Appendix 4.6,4.7,5.4,6.3 44 51 47 50, 51 51, 126,282 94,95-96, 107, 117 7.3 7.3 4.6 1.4.2 123 123 93-95 48-50 4.5.4 4.1.2,4.5.4 92-93 76-77,92 2.1 3.4,4.4; 55 72-73, 83-85, 167, 168-169 67-75 67-75 64, 126, 131-133 annexes 9, 10 3 2.3,8; annex 287 292 Supplement to The London Dumping Convention The First Decade and Beyond Amendments to Annexes I and II to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 The following amendments were adopted on 12 November 1993 by the Sixteenth Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the London Convention, 1972, through resolutions LC.49(l6), LC.50(16) and LC.5I(l6) The amendments entered into force on 20 February 1994 except for those Contracting Parties which until that date had submitted a declaration of non-acceptance pursuant to article XV(2) of the Convention The amendments are indicated in bold letters Annex I \ I Organohalogen Mercury and mercury compounds Cadmium Persistent plastics and other persistent synthetic materials, for example, netting and ropes, which may float or may remain in suspension in the sea in such a manner as to interfere materially with fishing, navigation or other legitimate uses of the sea Crude oil and its wastes, refined petroleum products, petroleum, distillate residues, and any mixtures containing any of these, taken on board for the purpose of dumping Radioactivewastes or other radioactivematter Materials in whatever form (e.g solids, liquids, semi-liquids, gases or in a living state) produced for biological and chemica] warfare With the exception of paragraph above, the preceding paragraphs of this Annex not apply to substances which are rapidly rendered harmless by physical, chemical or biological processes in the sea provided they not: (i) compounds and cadmium compounds make edible marine organisms unpalatable, (Sales or number: IMO-532EJ (ii) endangerhuman health or that of domestic animals 11 The consultative procedure provided for under article XIV should be followed by a Party if there is doubt about the harmlessnessof the substance For the purposes of this Annex: Except for industrial waste as defined in paragraph 11 below, this Annex does not apply to wastes or other materials (e.g sewagesludge and dredged material) containing the matters referred to in paragraphs 1-5 above astrace contaminants Such wastesshall be subjectto the provisions of AnnexesII and III as appropriate (a) dredged material; (b) sewage sludge; (c) fish waste, or organic materials resulting from industrial fish-processing operations; (d) vessels and platforms or other man-made structures at sea, provided that material capable of creating floating debris or otherwise contributing to pollution of the marine environment has been removed to the maximum extent; (e) uncontaminated inert geological materials the chemical constituents of which are unlikely to be released into the marine environment; (f) uncontaminated organic materials of n~tural origin "Industrial waste" means waste materials generated by manufacturing or processing operations and does not apply to: Paragraph does not apply to wastes or other materials (e.g sewage sludge and dredged material) containing de minimis (exempt) levels of radioactivity as defined by the IAEA and adopted by the Contracting Parties Unless otherwise prohibited by Annex I, such wastes shall be subject to the provisions of Annexes II and III as appropriate 10 Industrial waste as from January 1996 (a) Incineration at sea of industrial waste, as defined in paragraph 11 below, and sewage sludge is prohibited (b) The incineration at sea of any other wastes or other matter requires the issue of a special permit (c) In the issue of special permits for incineration at sea, Contracting Parties shall apply regulations as are developed under this Convention.* (d) Dumping of wastes and other matter specified in subparagraphs (a)-(f) above shall be subject to all other provisions of Annex I, and to the provisions of Annexes II and III This paragraph shall not apply to the radioactive wastes or any other radioactive matter referred to in paragraph of this Annex For the purpose of this Annex: (i) "Marine incineration facility" means a vessel, platform, or other man-made structure operating for the purpose of incineration at sea (ii) "Incineration at sea" means the deliberate combustion of wastes or other matter on marine incineration facilities for the purpose of their thermal destruction Activities incidental to the normal operation of vessels, platforms or other man-made structures are excluded from the scope of this definition , 12 Within 25 years from the date on which the amendment to paragraph enters into force and at each 25-year interval thereafter, the Contracting Parties shall complete a scientific study relating to all radioactive wastes and other radioactive matter other than high-level wastes or matter, taking into account such other factors as the Contracting Parties consider appropriate, and shall review the position of such substances on Annex I in accordance with the procedures set forth in articleXV Annex II The following substances and materials reqUIrIng special care are listed for the purposes of article VI(l )(a) A Wastes below: containing significant amounts of the matters listed arsemc beryllium chromium copper lead and their compounds nickel vanadium ZInC organosilicon compounds cyanides fluorides pesticides and their by-products not covered in Annex I B* Containers, scrap metal and other bulky wastes liable to sink to· the sea bottom which may present a serious obstacle to fishing or \ navigation C* In the issue of special permits for the incineration of substances and materials listed in this Annex, the Contracting Parties shall apply the Regulations for the Control ofIncineration of Wastes and Other Matter at Sea set forth in the Addendum to Annex I and take full account of the Technical Guidelines on the Control of Incineration of Wastes and Other Matter at Sea adopted by the Contracting Parties in consultation, to the extent specified in these Regulations and Guidelines 0* Materials which, though of a non-toxic nature, may become harmful due to the quantities in which they are dumped, or which are liable to seriously reduce amenities ... Convention, which prepared this book, thus furthering the aims of the Convention Part A The London Dumping Convention Final Act of the Inter-Governmental Conference on the Convention on the Dumping. .. would then become the authoritative text of the Convention in these four languages II THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE ON THE CONVENTION ON THE DUMPING OF WASTES AT SEA RESOLVES: To open the Convention. .. Convention The Contracting Parties to the London Dumping Convention have made substantial progress in achieving the Convention' s goal of protecting the marine environment from the hazards of dumping The