The Bureau of Industry and Security on June 16 suspended the export privileges of a Belarusian airline for violating U.S. export controls against Belarus. The agency issued a 180-day temporary denial order for Belavia Belarusian Airlines, the country’s state-owned national airline, BIS said in a denial order. The order bans Belavia from participating in transactions subject to the Export Administration Regulations.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection related to its license exemptions and exclusions for export-controlled goods. Comments are due Aug. 15.
The Bureau of Industry and Security this week released a 13-page document on its five-year “Information Technology Strategic Plan,” which aims to improve the agency’s IT efforts. The plan will “strive to maximize the value of technology and data supporting the BIS missions, partners, workforce, and ultimately the American people,” the agency said. The plan also will help the agency better collect and analyze licensing data, improve its technology “architecture,” pursue upskilling and more.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week updated its list of restricted Russian and Belarusian aircraft. The updated list includes new entries for two Utair planes and one Azur Air aircraft.
Bureau of Industry and Security Undersecretary Alan Estevez this week again stressed the importance of building a new multilateral export control regime, saying that’s one of his priorities as he begins his tenure at BIS. The U.S. and its allies need a new regime “for the 21st century,” Estevez said, specifically one that isn’t only limited to dual-use technologies. “We need to work with our partners on that,” hr said during a June 14 virtual conference hosted by the Center for a New American Security. “We have a great coalition and great momentum, and I intend to do that.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is considering revising its voluntary self-disclosure review process to focus on “more serious” disclosures, said Matthew Axelrod, BIS’s top enforcement official. Axelrod, speaking during a June 14 Regulations and Procedures Technical Advisory Committee meeting, said the change could better dedicate the agency’s time to VSDs that warrant more attention.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection related to Form BIS–999. The form, a Request for Special Priorities Assistance, is required for enforcement and administration of the Defense Production Act, the Selective Service Act and the Defense Priorities and Allocation System regulation. Contractors use the form to “obtain timely delivery of products, materials, or services from suppliers, or for any other reason under the DPAS, in support of approved national programs,” BIS said. Comments are due Aug. 15.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on an information collection related to international import certificates. Importers use the certificate to certify to the U.S. government that they won’t reexport the goods “except in accordance with the export control regulations” of the U.S. Comments are due Aug. 12.
The U.S. should create a new multilateral export control regime to counter China’s unfair industrial policies and misuse of sensitive technologies, said Mark Dallas, an associate professor at Union College in New York and a fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations. A new regime would create a “unified, clear and multilateral voice” around export controls and would reduce “commercial tensions” between the U.S. and its allies through better information sharing and enforcement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week charged a Montana resident and his two companies with violating U.S. export controls after BIS said he tried to ship controlled items knowing they would be used in Iran. Kenneth Scott and his companies, Scott Communication and Mission Communications, also made false or misleading statements to agents, failed to file Electronic Export Information and didn’t maintain the required export records, BIS said.