Against the weakening of the ban on dumping toxic substances into Russia’s marine waters

The issue has been successfully resolved. The initiative is closed!

The Ministry of Natural Resources posted draft No. 155702 on regulation.gov.ru on 21 March 2025—a new version of Resolution No. 251 (2000) that would reduce the list of substances prohibited for discharge in Russia’s exclusive economic zone from 73 to 31 items. More than 40 toxicants—among them aniline, chlorobenzene, dibutyl phthalate, cadmium, and mercury—were removed, effectively weakening the federal ban on releasing hazardous chemicals into the sea and contradicting Russia’s obligations under the MARPOL Convention. 

We promptly launched a public campaign: prepared a technical-legal opinion, opened a petition, organized a mailing of citizen appeals, secured coverage in specialized media, and engaged marine experts. Thanks to sustained public pressure, in June 2025 the Ministry officially withdrew draft No. 155702 from further consideration, preserving the full list of prohibited substances. 

This initiative has been successfully closed. 

Closed on 28 June, 2024

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