The Bureau of Industry and Security announces that effective May 18, 2011, it has suspended certain licenses for the export and reexport to Syria of U.S. origin parts and components needed for the overhaul/refurbishment of certain long-range, high capacity commercial aircraft not currently in service. BIS took this action under the authority of the Export Administration Regulations at 15 CFR 750.8, and all persons holding relevant licenses have been notified of this action.
India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Committee on Deemed Exports held its first meeting to review India's existing policy on deemed exports this week. The Committee announced that it will hold meetings with stakeholders to receive comments and suggestions by May 30, 2011. The Committee has been mandated to look into: (a) harmonizing various Customs Notifications with the policy; (b) improving the drafting of the policy to avoid multiple interpretations and to remove ambiguities, and (c) seeing whether the policy properly reflects the Government's priorities. The Committee is expected to give its report within 3 months.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has sent the Office of Management and Budget a final rule entitled: "Removal and Modifications for Persons Listed Under Russia on the Entity List."
The Commerce Department announces that Secretary Locke recently honored 27 companies and organizations that are recipients of the 2011 President’s “E” Award, which is the highest U.S. government recognition any U.S. entity may receive for supporting export activity. The “E” Award recipients are contributors to the President’s National Export Initiative (NEI) goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015. The recipients are:
On May 16, 2011, BAE Systems PLC (BAES), of the United Kingdom, entered into a civil settlement with the State Department and will pay an aggregate $79 million civil penalty for alleged violations of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. A policy of denial will also be imposed on three BAES non-U.S. subsidiaries.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name and/or address changes for new DDTC license applications. New license applications received after the listed deadline will be considered for return without action for correction to the new name/address (notices hyperlinked):
The Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of a State Department final rule to amend the International Traffic in Arms Regulations with respect to Libya.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls announces that DDTC Licensing will no longer accept the multi-page DSP-85 license application paper form ((Application for Permanent/Temporary Export or Temporary Import of Classified Defense Articles and Related Classified Technical Data) beginning May 13, 2011. All submissions must now be made using the DSP-85 downloadable and fillable form, and mailed or delivered to DDTC. No changes have been made to the content of the form itself. The DSP-85 form is available here.
On May 12, 2011, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held the first in a series of hearings on U.S. export controls at which Administration officials provided an update on their efforts to implement the Administration’s Export Control Reform Initiative, including agencies becoming operational on USXPORTS and efforts to increase enforcement overseas.
On May 12, 2011, the House Foreign Affairs Committee held the first in a series of hearings on U.S. export controls. During the hearing, the Chairman and Ranking Member discussed plans to move their own export control legislation and voiced concerns about the Administration’s Export Control Reform Initiative.