Editorial note

The Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution from Land-Based Sources, adopted under the Barcelona Convention, was adopted on 17 May 1980. The Protocol was modified by amendments adopted on 7 March 1996, which have not yet entered into force. The text of the Protocol reproduced below is the consolidated version of the 1980 Protocol as modified in 1996.

The Protocol aims to reduce pollution from land-based sources and activities. Pollution from land-based sources includes discharge from rivers, coastal establishments or outfalls or emanating from any other land-based sources and activities (Article 1).

The Protocol applies to discharges originating from land-based point and diffuse sources and activities within the territory of the Contracting States that may affect directly or indirectly the Mediterranean Sea Area (Article 4(1)(a)) and to inputs of polluting substances transported by atmosphere (Article 4(1)(b)). It also applies to discharges from fixed man-made offshore structures (Article 4(2)).

Parties undertake to eliminate discharges of substances listed in Annex I according to agreed standards and timetables (Article 5).Discharges of substances listed in Annex II are to be strictly limited and subject to authorisation by national authorities (Article 6). Parties are required to progressively formulate and adopt common guidelines or standards or criteria to address, inter alia, the quality of water used for specific purposes necessary to protect human health, living resources and ecosystems; control progressive replacement of products and processes which cause significant pollution (Article 7(1)).