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

The Contracting Parties have concluded this Agreement with a view to cooperating in the protection of the marine environment of the Baltic Sea Area, which is defined by article 1. The Contracting Parties shall individually or jointly take all appropriate legislative, administrative or other relevant measures to prevent and eliminate pollution in order to promote the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea Area and the preservation of its ecological balance. In doing so, they shall apply the precautionary principle as well as the polluter pays principle as required under article 3. Moreover, the Contracting Parties shall promote the use of Best Environmental Practice and Best Available Technology. If the reduction of inputs, resulting from the use of Best Environmental Practice and Best Available Technology, as described in Annex II, does not lead to environmentally acceptable results, additional measures shall be applied. Further provisions refer to particular protective measures, such as the prohibition of incineration and dumping in the Baltic Sea Areas (arts. 10 and 11) and set out an information exchange system. Article 19 provides for the establishment of the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission. The following seven Annexes are attached: (I) Harmful substances; (II) Criteria for the use of Best Environmental Practice and Best Available Technology; (III) Criteria and measures concerning the prevention of pollution from land-based sources; (IV) Prevention of pollution from ships; (V) Exemptions from the general prohibition of dumping of waste and other matter in the Baltic Sea Area; (VI) Prevention of pollution from offshore activities; (VII) Response to pollution incidents.