Where Industry and Security Intersect
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WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department's Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) and the American Type Culture Collection of Manassas, Virginia, today resolved allegations that the non-profit organization exported US-origin microorganisms to various destinations without obtaining the required export licenses, Commerce Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement F. Amanda DeBusk announced.
American Type Culture Collection voluntarily disclosed the activity to BXA, but agreed to pay a $290,000 civil penalty, which was suspended, and to collaborate with BXA on educational efforts designed to improve compliance with export controls on biological agents. The alleged violations occured on 58 separate occasions between 1993 and 1996. BXA's Office of Export Enforcement Washington Field Office investigated the case.
The Department of Commerce, through its Bureau of Export Administration, administers and enforces export controls for reasons of national security, foreign policy, nonproliferation and short supply. Criminal penalties, as well as administrative sanctions, can be imposed for violations of the Regulations.
In April of 2002 the Bureau of Export Administration (BXA) changed its name to the Bureau of Industry and Security(BIS). For historical purposes we have not changed the references to BXA in the legacy documents found in the Archived Press and Public Information.