On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a final rule to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) revising provisions related to the voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) process for persons who believe that they may have violated the EAR, or any order, license or authorization issued thereunder. The
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)
OFAC, State Department, and BIS Expand Russian/Belarusian Sanctions
On August 23rd, 2024, the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), the U.S. Department of State (State), and the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) acted against Russia’s international supply chains.
OFAC and State collectively sanctioned nearly 400 individuals and entities. Of note, this included a substantial focus on…
ITAR and EAR Proposed Rules Expand Controls on U.S. Person Services
On July 25, 2024, the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce issued new proposed rules that, if implemented, would (1) increase the restrictions associated with U.S. persons providing services in support of non-U.S. military-related end users / uses; and (2) implement new controls associated with exports, reexports, and transfers of items subject to the EAR…
Growing Technology Supply Chain Risks: Kaspersky Lab Software Banned in First Use of ICTS Supply Chain Prohibition
On June 20, 2024, the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security announced its first Final Determination pursuant to the Securing the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain (ICTS) regulations, prohibiting Kaspersky Lab, Inc. from providing anti-virus software and cybersecurity products or services in the United States or to U.S. persons…
BIS Streamlines Export Controls for Transfers to and Among Australia and the UK
On April 19, 2024, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to enhance technological innovation and support the goals of the AUKUS trilateral security partnership.
The interim final rule makes six primary export control policy changes that effectively provide Australia and the UK nearly the same…
BIS Announces Further Updates to OEE’s Voluntary Self-Disclosure Process for Minor Violations
On January 16, 2024, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod announced further updates to the EAR voluntary self-disclosure (VSD) process, all designed to incentivize the prioritization of export control compliance resources of the U.S. Government, industry, and academia.
The Office of Export Enforcement (OEE) released a Memorandum to…
BIS Publishes FAQs on Export Controls of Semiconductors and Advanced Computing Items
On December 29, 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published a series of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) addressing comments received on the October 13, 2022 interim final rules that amended, and in some cases expanded, U.S. export restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing items and advanced computing items and end uses. …
BIS Expands Export Administration Regulations, Adds 13 Entities to Unverified List
On December 19, the Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) added 13 new entities to its Unverified List (“UVL”). All 13 of these entities were added under the destination of the Peoples’ Republic of China (“PRC”) on the basis that BIS was unable to verify their bona fides.
The UVL contains the names and addresses…
New Section 232 Exclusion Proposed Rules Will Force Additional Burden of Proof on Importers and Domestic Producers
On August 28, 2023, the U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) proposed new rules to streamline and strengthen the Section 232 Exclusions Process for Steel and Aluminum imports. The proposed rules will build on the five existing interim final rules and respond to public comments received by BIS since February 2022. BIS…
DOJ, OFAC, and BIS Issue “Tri-Seal Compliance Note” Focusing on Voluntary Self-Disclosures
- Key takeaway #1 Companies should be mindful that the U.S. agencies responsible for civil and criminal export controls and sanctions compliance maintain separate VSD policies. This announcement highlights key aspects of each VSD policy.
- Key takeaway #2 Failure to initiate an internal investigation promptly after discovering a potential export controls or sanctions