Conclusion of the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic

The proposal for a decision seeks to conclude, on behalf of the Community, the Convention for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic. The legal basis chosen for the conclusion of this Convention is that of paragraphs 2, 3(1) and 4 of Article 228 plus paragraph 1 of Article 130 S, which consequently means that Parliament's assent procedure is excluded (according to the Commission Parliament is not required as no binding act can be taken by the committee instituted under the Convention, whose work is essentially of a technical nature and will not lead to the setting up of "a specific institutional framework involving the organization of cooperation procedures", in the sense of Article 228(3)(2) of the Treaty providing for the assent of Parliament). The aim of the Convention is to implement all possible measures in order to prevent and eliminate pollution, together with the necessary measures to protect this maritime zone from the damaging impact of human activity so as to safeguard human health and preserve marine ecosystems. The Convention was concluded on 22.09.1992 and revises the Oslo and Paris Conventions for the prevention of marine pollution (concluded in 1972 and 1975 respectively). The Convention relates to the following measures: - prevention and elimination of pollution from land-based sources, - prevention of pollution by dumping or incineration, - prevention and elimination of offshore pollution, - assessment of the quality of the marine environment. �