Countries around the world are phasing out the production and use of chemicals that destroy ozone in the Earths upper atmosphere. The United States has already phased out production of those substances having the greatest potential to deplete the ozone layer. At the same time, we have ensured that businesses and consumers have alternatives that are safer for the ozone layer than the chemicals they replace. These vital measures are helping to protect human health and the global environment. With our many partners, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proud to have been part of a broad coalition that developed and implemented flexible, innovative, and effective approaches to ensure stratospheric ozone layer protection. These partnerships have fundamentally changed the way we do business, spurring the development of new technologies that not only protect the ozone layer but, in many cases, also save energy and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Together, we continue to look for alternatives and technologies that are as ozone- and climate-friendly as possible. This report covers the important and substantial achievements of the people, programs, and organizations that are working to protect the Earths ozone layer. As impressive as these accomplishments are, our work is not done. Even though we have reduced or eliminated the use of many ozone-depleting substances, some still remain. Additionally, since ozone-depleting substances persist in the air for long periods of time, the past use of these substances continues to affect the ozone layer today. We must also continue to ensure that the alternatives being brought to the market support the countrys long-term environmental goals in a cost-effective manner.