The Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter 1972 (London Convention) and its more modern self-contained 1996 Protocol (London Protocol) aim to protect the Marine environment from all sources of pollution and in particular control and manage the dumping of wastes and other matter at sea.

This 2021 edition of the Waste Assessment Guidelines under the London Convention and Protocol presents updated guidance to facilitate the implementation of the London Convention and London Protocol including Revised specific guidelines for the assessment of vessels and Revised specific guidelines for assessment of platforms or other man-made structures at sea. It also provides a list of additional guidance documents developed by the Contracting Parties to further assist new and prospective Parties in the implementation of the treaties.