The Office of Management and Budget states that a proposed rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regarding the revision of U.S. Munitions List Category XX has been improperly submitted. (Action dated 12/13/11)
The Office of Management and Budget has approved a Bureau of Industry and Security proposed rule on the control of vessel and special naval equipment the President determines no longer warrant control under the United States Munitions List (USML). (Approved 12/13/11)
The Office of Management and Budget states that a proposed rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) regarding the revision of U.S. Munitions List Category VI has been improperly submitted. (Action dated 12/13/11)
On December 13, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added two entities from Iran to its "Specially Designated Nationals" list due to human rights abuses. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) will hold a partially open meeting on December 14 and 15, 2011 in Washington, DC. ETRAC advises the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Export Administration on emerging technology and research activities, including those related to deemed exports. The agenda for the open session includes a member discussion of emerging technology analysis and the impact of export controls on the conduct of U.S. science and technology activities in the U.S. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first come, first serve basis. BIS has also subsequently announced (FR 12/09/11) a room change for the meeting, details available here.
On December 9, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control added two entities from Zimbabwe to its "Specially Designated Nationals" list that have been identified as entities in which the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, whose property and interests in property are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 13469. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.
The Bureau of Census has issued a blog post stating that decreases in both exports and imports led to the Nation’s international trade deficit in goods and services decreasing to $43.5 billion in October 2011 from $44.2 billion (revised) in September. Exports decreased by $1.5 billion to $179.2 billion in October and imports decreased by $2.2 billion to $222.6 billion.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective December 12, 2011, which amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by moving the substantive provisions of the comprehensive sanctions on Syria from General Order No. 2 in Supplement No. 1 to 15 CFR Part 736 to a revised 15 CFR 746.9. The final rule also makes conforming changes to the Export Administration Regulations. According to BIS, this rule will facilitate compliance with the comprehensive sanctions on Syria.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has announced that each Wednesday, beginning December 14, 2011, Assistant Secretary Kevin Wolf will hold weekly teleconferences at 2:00 pm (Eastern Time) to answer questions about the Department of Commerce’s proposed rules pertaining to the Administration’s Export Control Reform (ECR) Initiative. These calls are intended to foster public understanding of the initiative and to assist interested parties to prepare more informed comments.
On December 8, 2011, the Office of Foreign Assets Control removed eight Colombian persons (2 entities and 6 individuals) from its Anti-Narcotics Specially Designated Nationals list. SDNs are (i) individuals and companies owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, targeted countries or (ii) individuals, groups, and entities, such as terrorists and narcotics traffickers designated under programs that are not country-specific. The assets of listed SDNs are blocked and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from dealing with them.