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.
The Bureau of Industry and Security needs access to the State Department’s internal screening list once export controls on many firearms, artillery and ammunition are transferred from State to BIS, the Government Accountability Office said in a March 1 report. State has compiled years of information on illegitimate and bad actors in its watch list, and BIS may “lack critical information needed to effectively screen license applicants for firearms and related exports” once the transfers are finalized if it can’t get access, the report said.