London Convention; 1972

(Earlier known as “London Dumping Convention”)

( Compiled by Capt Ajay Puri)
Entry into force: 1975
India is NOT a party to the Convention

Background

Dumping at sea of waste generated on land and loaded on board specialized dumping vessels
had been carried out for several years by industrialized countries before international rules to
prevent marine pollution from this practice entered into force.

The London Convention aims to prevent marine pollution but focuses on CONTROLLING
the dumping at sea of wastes generated on land. The Convention includes a list of substances
for which dumping is prohibited (Annex I) and other lists for which dumping may be
authorised by permit. These are Annex II lists, i.e., substances that need a special permit
before they can be dumped at sea and the Annex III list of substances that require a general
permit before they can be dumped at sea.

The 1972 London Convention (Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by

Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, LC, formerly referred to as the London Dumping
Convention) entered into force in 1975. The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention has
still not entered into force. When it does it will replace the 1972 Convention. The IMO
provides the secretariat for both agreements.

The purpose of the 1972 London Convention is to control all sources of marine pollution and
prevent pollution of the sea through regulation of dumping into the sea of waste materials.

The Convention is divided into THREE Annexes as follows:

Annex I – BLACK LIST – This contains list of wastes that are prohibited from dumping at
into the sea (mercury arsenic etc.).

Annex II – GREY LIST – This contains a list of substances that require a SPECIAL
PERMIT from the government for dumping into the sea. This is done after the government
body tests the material in its own government lab to find out if the material will be harmful to
the marine environment or not, if dumped. If the permission is granted, then a Special Permit
is given by giving details of the specific location at sea for dumping and the maximum
quantity that can be dumped.

Annex III – WHITE LIST – This contains a list of substances that are considered harmless
to the marine environment and therefore can be dumped into the sea. A GENERAL PERMIT
is therefore given for this.

The 1996 Protocol to the London Convention

The Protocol focuses on PROHIBITING dumping of all wastes (the original convention
focus was on CONTROLLING) into the marine environment.

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This means that MAJORITY of items listed under Annex II have been shifted to Annex 1
thus making the Protocol STRICTER.

Interpreting the London Convention 1972 and 1996 Protocol

What is the relation between the London Convention and the MARPOL Convention?

There is NO RELATIONSHIP between London Convention and MARPOL because

Activities that would constitute "disposal at sea" are set out in the definition of "dumping"
under Article III of the London Convention 1972 and under Article 1 of the 1996 Protocol. In
general, "disposal at sea" operations comprise activities whereby materials taken onboard a
vessel are transported to a disposal location at sea and dumped into the marine environment.
Disposal at sea by ship does not include:

 Discharges of wastes arising during normal operations of vessels (management of

these wastes are governed under the MARPOL 73/78 Convention).

What is the relation between the London Convention and the Law of the Sea Convention?

The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 (UNCLOS) gives a framework for the
determination of rights and obligations of States relating to the oceans. Part XII contains
provisions with regard to protection and preservation of the marine environment.

Implementing the London Convention means also implementation of article 210 of

UNCLOS. Through article 210 States parties to UNCLOS are legally bound to adopt laws
and regulations and take other measures to prevent, reduce and control pollution by dumping,
which must be no less effective than the global rules and standards.