The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted an online "Interest Form" which must be submitted by May 9 in order to attend the annual Update Conference on Export Controls and Policy on July 19-21, 2011. Those selected will be notified and given registration instructions. BIS has also posted the proposed agenda and topics, which include the export control reform initiative; export enforcement and end-use checks; License Exception STA; embargoes and sanctions; deemed exports and I-129 Visas; and Census trade data. BIS states that more detailed program information and registration fees will be posted in the coming weeks. The Interest Form is available here. The proposed agenda and topics are available here.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has posted the following updated schedule for its export control and compliance training outreach efforts:
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced that its external systems/applications will undergo maintenance on Friday, April 22, 2011 from 7:00 - 8:00 a.m. EST. During this time, the D-Trade system will be unavailable to accept submissions. All other applications (EFS, ELLIE and MARY) will unavailable. The pmddtc.state.gov Web site is not affected and will remain online.
The Bureau of Industry and Security has issued a final rule, effective April 20, 2011, which amends certain entries under the Commerce Control List (Supplement No. 1 to Part 774 of the EAR) to implement understandings reached at the June 2010 plenary meeting of the Australia Group1 and makes certain AG-related editorial clarifications and corrections to the Export Administration Regulations.
The U.S.-China Business Council has released a guide for Congress, providing recommendations on the best ways for the U.S. to manage its economic and commercial relationship with China. The report addresses key issues, including the exchange rate, U.S. manufacturing challenges, and food and product safety.
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls has announced the following entity name change 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 (notice hyperlinked):
Export.gov has announced a series of trade missions that are scheduled for the remainder of April through October 2011.
The State Department has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a final rule entitled: Amendment to ITAR: Updates to Country Policies and Other Changes.
The Defense Department has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for approval an interim final rule to add a representation regarding the export of sensitive technology to Iran and a waiver provision to further implement section 106 of CISADA.
The Defense Department has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a final rule to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement sections 102 and 106 of the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010. Section 102 requires certification that each offeror, and any person owned or controlled by the offeror, does not engage in any activity for which sanctions may be imposed under section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (the Iran Sanctions Act). Section 106 imposes a procurement prohibition relating to contracts with persons that export certain sensitive technology to Iran.