Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

Title (French): Convention pour la protection du milieu marin dans la zone de la mer Baltique
Title (Other): Konvention über den Schutz der Meeresumwelt des Ostseegebiets
Place of adoption: Helsinki
Depository: Finland
Language: English
Entry into force: Jan 17, 2000
Subject: Sea, Mineral resources, Waste & hazardous substances, Water
Keyword: Oil pollution Dispute settlement Toxicity/poisoning Pollution control Sewerage Polluter pays principle Monitoring Access-to-information Survey/mapping Authorization/permit Environmental standards Legal proceedings/administrative proceedings Marine resources management Biodiversity Hazardous substances Data collection/reporting Research Marine pollution (land-based sources) Liability/compensation International relations/cooperation Institution EIA Marine pollution (dumping at sea) Maritime zone Exploration Marine pollution (ship-based sources) Pesticides Transport/storage Standards

Abstract: Objectives: To promote the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea Area and the preservation of its ecological balance. Summary of provisions: Parties undertake to prevent and eliminate pollution of the Baltic Sea Area and of its marine environment caused by harmful substances from all sources, including land-based sources, ships and pleasure crafts. Parties are to apply the precautionary principle and the polluter-pays principle, and promote the use of the Best Environmental Practice and Best Available Technology (art. 3). Parties sharing transboundary waters agree to co-operate, and transboundary impacts of pollution is to be notified to Parties which may be affected (art. 7). Incineration is to be prohibited (art. 10), and dumping prevented (art. 11). Other provisions of the Convention deal with, inter alia, exploration and exploitation of the seabed and its subsoil, nature conservation and biodiversity, responsibility for damage and the safeguard of certain freedoms. Institutional mechanisms: The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission established under the 1974 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area becomes the Commission for the purpose of this Convention.
Full text: English French Spanish
Website: formin.finland.fi

Country/Territory/Participant

Countries	Entry into force	Ratification *	Simple signature
Denmark	Jan 17, 2000	Apr 18, 1996 [2]	Apr 9, 1992
Estonia	Jan 17, 2000	Jun 8, 1995 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
European Union	Jan 17, 2000	Sep 20, 1994 [2]	Sep 24, 1992
Finland	Jan 17, 2000	Jun 16, 1995 [2]	Apr 9, 1992
Germany	Jan 17, 2000	Nov 11, 1994 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
Latvia	Jan 17, 2000	Jun 17, 1994 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
Lithuania	Jan 17, 2000	Apr 30, 1997 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
Poland	Jan 17, 2000	Nov 17, 1999 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
Russian Federation	Jan 17, 2000	Nov 17, 1999 [1]	Apr 9, 1992
Sweden	Jan 17, 2000	Mar 9, 1994 [1]	Apr 9, 1992

* [1] Ratification [2] Accession/approbation [3] Acceptance/approval [4] Succession [5] Consent to be bound [6] Definite signature

Supersedes: Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

Treaty | Multilateral | Helsinki | Mar 22, 1974

Keyword: Standards, Hazardous substances, Data collection/reporting, Oil pollution, Dispute settlement, Marine pollution (land-based sources), Maritime zone, Exploration, Law reform/harmonization/deregulation, Authorization/permit, Marine pollution (ship-based sources), Liability/compensation, International relations/cooperation, Institution, Deep sea bed, Transport/storage, Management/conservation, Marine pollution (dumping at sea), Marine pollution

Source: IUCN (ID: TRE-000405)