1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter (London Convention)

The 1972 Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping Wastes and Other Matter regulates pollution caused by ocean dumping to protect the marine environment. The Convention defines dumping as the deliberate disposal at sea of wastes or other matters from vessels, aircraft, platforms or other human-made structures, or of the vessels and structures themselves. The Contracting Parties agreed to individually and collectively promote the effective control of all sources of pollution of the marine environment and to take all practicable steps to prevent the pollution of the sea by dumping. The Convention classifies wastes into three, whereby dumping of wastes listed in Annex I is prohibited, while dumping of wastes listed in Annex II requires a prior special permit, and dumping of all other wastes requires a prior or general permit. By way of an exception, the prohibitions do not apply when it is necessary to secure the safety of human life, vessels or other human-made structures in case of force majeure. The Contracting Parties also pledge themselves to promote measures to protect the marine environment against pollution.