Muscat – Oman is adopting several measures in efforts to protect the ozone layer, the most significant among these being formation of a national team and developing an electronic system to monitor import of ozone-depleting substances.

The sultanate has also implemented a national strategy, in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), to completely phase out the use of ozone-depleting substances by 2030.

Since its ratification of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer in 1998, the sultanate has actively contributed to the efforts of the international community aimed at protecting the ozone layer and protecting all forms of life on Earth.

Oman was able to meet and achieve all requirements for compliance with the Montreal Protocol, as it ratified the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. Further, Oman worked on preparing a national programme to determine the procedures and requirements for the disposal of ozone-depleting substances in accordance with the Montreal Protocol, as well as the issuing a legislative regulation that defines the legal responsibility for the requirements of protection of the ozone layer.

The national team formed under the Executive Committee for Climate Change and Ozone Layer Protection will coordinate policies and procedures required for ozone layer protection and achieving requirements of compliance with the Montreal Protocol.

The National Ozone Unit provides technical support and training in the vital sectors in an effort to eliminate ozone-depleting substances, and the transition to materials and technologies that are not harmful to the ozone layer.

Additionally, Oman was able to stop the consumption of materials with high ozone depletion factor by the end of 2010 by implementing a national strategy to get rid of these materials.

The sultanate has begun coordinating with competent authorities to approve the licensing system for technicians working in the refrigeration and air conditioning sector.

This move aims to ensure the application of best practices and the adoption of specifications in terms of energy efficiency of domestic cooling devices, in addition to coordinating with the UNIDO to develop safety specifications for flammable refrigerants, and inspection of imported shipments to ensure their compliance with the requirements of the Montreal Protocol, as well as ensuring their quality and purity.

Oman will join the world in marking the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer on September 16.