FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | BUREAU OF INDUSTRY AND SECURITY |
Wednesday, March 19, 2008 |
Office of Public Affairs |
www.bis.doc.gov | 202-482-2721 |
Bureau of Industry and Security Publishes Federal Register Notice
Seeking Comment on Scope of Crime Control Regulations
WASHINGTON -- The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) today published a Federal Register Notice 73FR 14769 seeking public comment on the crime control export and reexport license requirements of the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). BIS is seeking public input on the scope of items currently subject to crime control license requirements as well as the destinations to which crime control license requirements apply. The comment period will be open for 90 days after publication.
“Updating our export controls to advance U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic objectives is a continuing responsibility of BIS,” said Under Secretary of Commerce Mario Mancuso. “This request for public comment is intended to provide additional, relevant data to support a comprehensive, fact-based review of our crime control policies.”
The EAR imposes license requirements for certain exports from the United States and reexports from other countries. Crime control license requirements support the U.S. foreign policy of promoting human rights throughout the world. The license requirement may apply to the export and reexport of crime control and detection equipment, related technology, and software. BIS’s intended review of the scope of items subject to crime control license requirements will take into consideration recent technological advances.
Today’s request for public comment is part of a systematic review launched last year of all dual-use items, such as software, commodities, and technology, under BIS jurisdiction.
Background
BIS controls exports and re-exports of dual-use commodities, technology and software for reasons of national security, missile technology, nuclear non-proliferation, chemical and biological non-proliferation, crime control and regional stability. Criminal and administrative sanctions can be imposed for violations of the Export Administration Regulations. For more information, please visit www.bis.doc.gov.
###