In the Nov. 11-12 editions of the Official Journal of the European Union the following trade-related notices were posted:
The United Kingdom's Export Control Joint Unit fined nine British exporters for export violations of dual-use goods from May to October, according to a Nov. 12 notice. The fines included penalties of between $5,500 and about $100,000 for exporters who failed to acquire appropriate export licenses for military goods.
The European Commission recently released its 2019 Export Control Handbook for Chemicals, with information on goods on the dual-use control list, Common Military List, Syria restricted list and more. The report contains current export control regulations for certain goods and a list of controlled chemicals arranged by Export Control Number, Chemical Abstract Service number and Combined Nomenclature code.
The United Kingdom, Germany and France said they are concerned about Iran’s latest decision to restart uranium enrichments in a breach of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, saying Europe’s efforts to reduce tensions and sanctions are “made increasingly difficult.” In a Nov. 11 statement, the countries urged Iran to “reverse all measures inconsistent” with the JCPOA.
The Council of the European Union extended sanctions against Venezuela until Nov. 14, 2020, citing ongoing human rights violations and actions aimed at undermining democracy, according to a Nov. 11 press release. The sanctions include an arms embargo and ban on trade of equipment “for internal repression.” The measures also include asset freezes on 25 Venezuelan officials.
The Council of the European Union adopted a framework for sanctions against Turkey for its illegal drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean, the council said in a Nov. 11 press release. The sanctions include travel bans and asset freezes for people and entities responsible for the drilling in the territorial sea near Cyprus or who provide “technical or material” support for the drilling activities. The sanctions may also apply to “persons or entities associated” with the sanctioned people or entities. The EU Council recommended sanctions against Turkey in October after Cyprus released a statement condemning Turkey’s drilling (see 1910150024).
Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with some of the top stories for Nov. 4-8 in case they were missed.
The Bureau of Industry and Security updated its Entity List by adding 22 entities, updating one entry and removing three entries, BIS said. The added entities include freight forwarding and logistics companies and a medical instrument supplier.
Two congresswomen are asking for more signatures for a letter that applauds the Commerce Department’s decision to place eight Chinese technology companies on the Entity List and urges the administration not to make concessions on the list in trade negotiations.The letter, written by Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa., and Ann Wagner, R-Mo., to be sent to Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, also urges the State Department to impose sanctions on China for its oppression of the Uighur population.
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control amended a Nicaragua-related designation on its Specially Designated Nationals List, according to a Nov. 8 notice. The changes include updated identifying information for Roberto Jose Lopez Gomez, who was sanctioned by OFAC on Nov. 7 for corruption along with two other Nicaraguan officials (see 1911070035).