The New IMO Treaty to Ban TBT
The Diplomatic Conference held (October 1-5, 2001) by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London adopted the Draft Convention prepared by The Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) of IMO for the "Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems for Ships." The Convention has been developed to immediately ban the use of Tributyltin (TBT) globally in antifouling paints to "protect the marine environment". The ban on TBT has come about because TBT has detrimental effects on non-target marine organisms. In November 1999, IMO agreed that a Treaty be developed by the MEPC to ensure a ban on the application of TBT based antifouling paints by January 1, 2003, and a total ban on the use of TBT by January 1, 2008.
IMO: TBT Ban Could Have Adverse Effects
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) held its 43rd session of the Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC) from June 28th through July 1st. Delegates to the MEPC were expected to consider a proposal to ban the application of tributyltin (TBT) self-polishing copolymer paints by the year 2003. At the previous MEPC session in November 1998, delegates prepared a draft resolution that calls for a ban on the application of TBT by 2003 and a ban on its use by 2008. These dates were designated based on the assumption that viable alternatives would be available on the market. However, since November, serious questions have been raised concerning the possible adverse environmental effects and the availability of suitable alternative paints.
