Article 1 
1. The Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (‘the Agreement’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union ( 4 ) . 2. The conclusion of the Agreement by the Union shall be without prejudice to the Member States’ competence as regards the ratification, acceptance or approval of the Agreement.
Article 2 
The Declaration of Competence required by Article 67(2) of the Agreement (‘the Declaration of Competence’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union ( 5 ) .
Article 3 
The Exception on non-retroactivity under Article 70 of the Agreement, in conjunction with Article 10(1) thereof, (‘the Exception on non-retroactivity’) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union ( 6 ) .
Article 4 
The President of the Council shall designate the person(s) empowered to deposit, on behalf of the Union, the instrument of approval provided for in Article 66 of the Agreement, together with the Declaration of Competence and the Exception on non-retroactivity.
Article 5 
This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.