News

U. S. Department of Commerce
Bureau of Export Administration




FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
January 15, 1998

CONTACTS:
Eugene Cottilli
Susan Hofer
(202) 482-2721

Commerce Implements Wassenaar Control List

(WASHINGTON) -- The Commerce Department today published comprehensive changes to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to carry out the 33- country Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, Commerce Under Secretary for Export Administration William A. Reinsch announced.

The Wassenaar Arrangement obligates member countries to exchange information on dual-use license approvals and denials with a focus on improving regional and international security and stability. Destabilizing accumulations of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies will be lessened through increased transparency and greater responsibility.

To simplify the necessary EAR changes for exporters, Commerce harmonized items on the Wassenaar list to conform to the European Union dual-use list and the lists of other international control regimes the U.S. belongs to: the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Australia Group and the Nuclear Suppliers Group. Today's interim rule also includes new reporting requirements for the Wassenaar Arrangement.

The regulation becomes effective today. In cases where Commerce Control List (CCL) numbers have changed, exporters can use the old numbers for up to 90 days. Shipments of the few items removed from eligibility for export or reexport under a particular license exception may continue up to 30 days after today before new licensing requirements go into effect.