20 October 2010: Parties to the treaties regulating the dumping of wastes at sea met from 11-15 October 2010, at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, UK, and adopted revised specific guidelines for assessment of bulky items.

The 32nd Consultative Meeting of Contracting Parties to the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972 (London Convention) and fifth Meeting of Contracting Parties to the 1996 Protocol thereto (London Protocol) adopted Revised Specific Guidelines for Assessment of Bulky Items, which are intended to assist national administrations when requested to provide a permit for dumping such items. The dumping of these items is limited to those circumstances where such wastes are generated at locations having no practicable access to disposal options other than dumping, such as small islands with isolated communities. [IMO Press Release]