The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security has eased some export license requirements and expanded export license exceptions for key U.S. allies.
One of the BIS measures released on Thursday removes export curbs on certain pathogens and toxins of interest to Australia Group member countries but are not under Chemical Weapons Convention controls.
BIS also lifted crime control licensing prerequisites for Global Export Controls Coalition member countries Austria, Finland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, South Korea, Sweden and Switzerland.
Additionally, the bureau has extended license exception eligibility to additional countries for some missile technologies but excluded any country of concern for the weapon system or is under a U.S. arms embargo.
BIS’ guidelines also solicit public comments on facilitating the License Exception Strategic Trade Authorization, including clarifications on which items are eligible for certain market destinations. In addition, it wants proposals on ways to increase STA coverage to ease the burden on traders while still ensuring U.S. national security.
“These rules will more accurately reflect the current national security and foreign policy posture of the United States goverment,” Undersecretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan Estevez said.