1992 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

Helsinki Convention

• International Law Documents
  • Environment
  • Oceans/Law of the Sea
    • Marine Environment
    • Regional/Bilateral

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)

“Article 26: Settlement of Disputes

1. In case of a dispute between Contracting Parties as to the interpretation or application of this Convention, they should seek a solution by negotiation. If the Parties concerned cannot reach agreement they should seek the good offices of or jointly request mediation by a third Contracting Party, a qualified international organization or a qualified person.
2. If the Parties concerned have not been able to resolve their dispute through negotiation or have been unable to agree on measures as described above, such disputes shall be, upon common agreement, submitted to an ad hoc arbitration tribunal, to a permanent arbitration tribunal, or to the International Court of Justice.”

Government of Finland

Annex I: Harmful substances

Annex II: Criteria for the use of Best Environmental Practice and Best Available Technology

Annex III: Criteria and measures concerning the prevention of pollution from land-based sources

Annex IV: Prevention of pollution from ships

Annex V: Exemptions from the general prohibition of dumping of waste and other matter in the Baltic Sea Area

Annex VI: Prevention of pollution from offshore activities

Annex VII: Response to pollution incidents

17/01/2000

“Article 36: Entry into Force

1. This Convention shall enter into force two months after the deposit of the instruments of ratification or approval by all signatory States bordering the Baltic Sea and by the European Economic Community.
2. For each State which ratifies or approves this Convention before or after the deposit of the last instrument of ratification or approval referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, this Convention shall enter into force two months after the date of deposit by such State of its instrument of ratification or approval or on the date of the entry into force of this Convention, whichever is the latest date.
3. For each acceding State or regional economic integration organization this Convention shall enter into force two months after the date of deposit by such State or regional economic integration organization of its instrument of accession.
4. Upon entry into force of this Convention the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area, signed in Helsinki on 22 March 1974 as amended, shall cease to apply.
5. Notwithstanding paragraph 4 of this Article, amendments to the annexes of the said Convention adopted by the Contracting Parties to the said Convention between the signing of this Convention and its entry into force, shall continue to apply until the corresponding annexes of this Convention have been amended accordingly.
6. Notwithstanding paragraph 4 of this Article, recommendations and decisions adopted under the said Convention shall continue to be applicable to the extent that they are compatible with, or not explicitly terminated by this Convention or any decision adopted thereunder.”

The seven Annexes of the Helsinki Convention were amended by the Helsinki Commission and entered into force in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2008 and 2014.

1974 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area

1972 Declaration of the Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment

1973 Gdansk Convention on Fishing and Conservation of the Living Resources in the Baltic Sea and the Belts

1975 Final Act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe 

1990 Baltic Sea Declaration

Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission accessed on 19/07/2024

This Convention text does not incorporate the 2014 amendments. The updated text can be found here.