The Office of Foreign Assets Control on Sept. 8 extended a Russia-related general license that authorizes the payment of certain taxes and import fees to the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, the National Wealth Fund of the Russian Federation or the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation despite the sanctions imposed on those entities. General License 13B, which replaces GL 13A (see 2205250054), extends the authorization through 12:01 a.m. EST on Dec. 7, 2022. The 13A license was scheduled to expire Sept. 30.
The Bureau of Industry and Security announced an interim final rule that expands authorization for the release of controlled technology for the purposes of standards-setting activities to also include software and all entities on the agency’s Entity List. The authorization previously applied only to "technology" and some listed entities, namely Huawei and its affiliates. The interim rule addresses concerns about whether BIS licenses are required to release low-level technology for legitimate standards activities, BIS said in a Sept. 8 press release. The interim rule takes effect Sept. 9.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control is reissuing its Cyber-Related Sanctions Regulations, 31 CFR part 578, the office said in a Sept. 2 notice. The update replaces regulations published in abbreviated form on Dec. 31, 2015, "with a more comprehensive set of regulations that includes additional interpretive and definitional guidance, general licenses, and other regulatory provisions that will provide further guidance to the public." The regulations will become effective Sept. 6, the date they are set to be published in the Federal Register.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control again extended a general license that authorizes U.S. academic institutions to export certain “online educational services” and software to Iran, the agency said Aug. 25. General License M-2, which replaces General License M-1 (see 2108250008), was extended through 12:01 a.m. EDT Sept. 1, 2023. The previous license, which also was an extension, was scheduled to expire Sept. 1, 2022. OFAC updated FAQ 853 to reflect the updated license.
The U.K. published a General License Aug. 22 under its Russia sanctions regime permitting crown servants and contractors, and their family members or visiting family members, to "carry out activities in their personal capacity in Russia which would otherwise be prohibited," under the Russian restrictions. Where visiting family members -- the spouse, civil partner, parent, sibling or child of a crown servant or contractor -- are concerned, the license extends only to activities that stem from their being in Russia to visit the household of a crown servant or contractor. The license took effect Aug. 19.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control on Aug. 19 issued one new Russia-related general license, updated an existing Russia-related general license and deleted a range of entries from its Specially Designated Nationals List.
The U.K.’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation this week updated a general license that authorizes certain payments to U.K. insurers by sanctioned people or entities. The license includes several amendments related to terrorism insurance, property owners’ liability insurance and claims preparation costs insurance.
The U.K.’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation this week issued a new general license to allow certain transactions related to energy use in Mongolia. The license will allow certain payments to certain sanctioned banks -- including the Credit Bank of Moscow, Gazprombank, Sberbank and Rosbank -- or their subsidiaries “for the purpose of making energy available” in Mongolia. The license took effect Aug. 15 and will expire Aug. 14, 2023.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control published in the Federal Register a group of previously issued general licenses, including one set of licenses covering sanctions against Russia and two sets of licenses related to Venezuela. The full text of each license appears in the respective notice.
The Office of Foreign Assets Control this week published three previously issued general licenses in the Federal Register related to Syria, Iran and Venezuela (see 2206100030). The licenses, which expire June 17, 2023, authorize certain transactions related to goods and services for preventing, diagnosing or combating COVID-19.