Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security denied export privileges to Arnoldo Arredondo on March 25, BIS said in a notice. Arredondo was convicted in 2017 for conspiring in the export of rifles to Mexico that "were designated as defense articles on the United States Munitions List, without the required U.S. Department of State licenses," BIS said. The denial of export privileges will last for 10 years from the date of the conviction -- that is, until Nov. 28, 2027, BIS said.
The Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said the Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee (RPTAC) scheduled a partially open meeting April 2 in Washington. The public session will include an export enforcement update, regulations update, working group reports, an Automated Export System (AES) update, and presentations of papers or comments by the public. The open session will be accessible via teleconference to 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. To join via teleconference, submit inquiries by March 26 to Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@bis.doc.gov. A limited number of seats will also be available for the public session.
The European Union is implementing new criteria for screening foreign investment in the EU that includes effects on critical technologies and dual-use items defined in EU export control regulations, it said in a notice issued March 21. The regulation mirrors U.S. Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) requirements currently being implemented that relate to “emerging technologies” as defined in Bureau of Industry and Security export control regulations. Specific technologies named in the new EU regulation include artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors, cybersecurity, aerospace, defence, energy storage, quantum and nuclear technologies as well as nanotechnologies and biotechnologies.
Valery Kosmachov was extradited from Estonia to face federal charges in the U.S. related to a "scheme to illegally procure sophisticated electronic components" and smuggle them to Russia, the Department of Justice said in a March 20 news release. The indictment was filed in September 2017 but was only unsealed on March 20, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. Kosmachov was arrested in September 2018 and extradited to the U.S. on March 14, the DOJ said.
The Bureau of Industry Security seeks comments by May 13 on the burden on importers from certain information collections for products subject to Export Administration Regulation export controls, it said. The agency is set to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget for these information collection requirements, which include classification, advisory and license applications and commodity classification requests.
The Bureau of Industry and Security seeks comments on the burden of its collection of information on defense offset agreements, it said in a notice. By law, U.S. companies must tell Commerce about offset agreements worth more than $5,000,000 associated with sales of weapons defense equipment to foreign countries or firms. Offsets, which are “required by most major trading partners when purchasing U.S. military equipment,” are industrial or commercial compensation practices in sales of defense articles or services under the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms regulations. Comments on the burden and ways to improve the information collection are due May 13.
The Bureau of Industry and Security will hold its annual “Update” Conference on Export Controls and Policy in Washington on July 9-11, it said in an emailed update. “This major outreach activity draws business and government representatives from around the world to learn and exchange ideas about export control issues,” it said. “The 2019 BIS Annual Conference will be at the Marriott Marquis Hotel. Conference room rates, detailed registration and program information will be provided as it becomes available.”
During a March 11 program billed as an information session on upcoming export controls on emerging technologies, Department of Commerce officials were unable to give in-depth details, pointing to delays caused by the recent partial federal government shutdown and an overwhelming number of public comments.
The Bureau of Industry and Security and the State Department seek comments by April 22 to inform its review of recently revised export controls on launch vehicles and spacecraft, they said in two separate notices. Conducted as part of their work on the National Space Council, the agencies seek input on how to streamline controls for the commercial space industry, particularly in light of recent moves from U.S. Munitions List Categories IV and XV to the dual use Commerce Control List.
The Bureau of Industry Security seeks comments on the burden on importers from its information collections related to license exceptions and exclusions for products subject to Export Administration Regulation export controls, it said. The agency is set to request approval from the Office of Management and Budget for these information collection requirements, which may include reporting or record-keeping requirements. Comments on the requirements and BIS's estimate of their burden on importers are due May 6.