The OSPAR Convention is the main legal framework governing the protection of the marine environment in the North-East Atlantic and North Sea. The EU (initially as the European Community) and 15 individual states (mainly EU Member States) are Contracting Parties to the Convention. Parties to the OSPAR Convention may also be contracting parties to other international marine conventions, which themselves have a bearing upon the legality of CCS activities.
OSPAR, in its original form, contains several provisions that obstruct the employment of CCS technologies. Recent amendments to the Convention, however, bring it into line with the provisions of the London Protocol (see section on London Protocol) and allow for the sequestration of carbon dioxide in sub-seabed geological formations (subject to fulfilment of certain conditions). These amendments have now entered into force for several Contracting Parties who have completed the relevant ratification process in accordance with the Convention's provisions. For further discussion see 'Analysis of Key Laws' below.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive is a European Union law that supports OSPAR and other international and regional marine agreements by compelling EU Member States to carry out a series of measures aimed at achieving 'good environmental status' by 2020.
The EU Directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide (Directive 2009/31/EC) also applies to offshore CO2 storage in member states' offshore territory.