The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) was established by Article 11 of the Environment Protocol. Article 12 provides that the Committee’s functions are “to provide advice and formulate recommendations to the Parties in connection with the implementation of this Protocol, including the operation of its Annexes, for consideration at Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings .” The first meeting of the Committee was in 1998.

The Committee consists of representatives of the Parties to the Environment Protocol and normally meets once a year in conjunction with the ATCM. CEP meetings are also attended by various experts and observers.

The business of the CEP is facilitated by work conducted by Parties between meetings in intersessional contact groups.