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POLLUTION AND HEALTH | 25

THE LEGAL OVERVIEW THE LATEST PROGRESS

Researchers firstly established an overview of legal More generally, scientific literature on plastic pollution
texts considering the plastic issue on an international in the oceans has developed since the 2000s, with
level. The key legal texts mentioned included the Lon- legal texts having a better grip of the specific marine
don Convention, but above all the MARPOL Conven- aspects of the problem. In 2016, the United Nations
tion, which regulate marine dumping (including plas- Environment Assembly recognised the presence of
tics). The latter, which is by far the most unifying (159 plastics in the oceans as a serious, global problem
signatories), has been reviewed to further limit the which requires an urgent international response.
impact of marine transport and industrial activities An international treaty on plastic pollution, which is
at sea. According to Sophie Gambardella, CNRS re- currently being finalised, reflects international efforts
search officer at the University of Aix-Marseille, the relying on scientific data.
International Maritime Organization is expanding its Multilateral environmental agreements regulating
legal framework to combat plastic pollution of the plastic waste and hazardous additives have also re-
oceans. It is also behind several cooperation pro- ceived significant amendments: on 1 January 2021,
grammes between international organisations with following a vote by 176 countries, the Basel Conven-
similar purposes. The matter requires a rigorous and tion become the sole binding legal instrument which
dynamic approach, particularly in the field of interna- specifically governs plastic waste, regulating its trade,
tional law, which tends to be slow to respond. collection, recycling and removal.