Published 2020
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07/31/2020
85 FR 45998
Revision to the Export Administration Regulations: Suspension of License Exceptions for Hong Kong
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to suspend the availability of all License Exceptions for Hong Kong that provide differential treatment as compared to those available to the People’s Republic of China (PRC). As announced on BIS’s website on June 30, 2020, these License Exceptions are no longer available for exports and reexports to Hong Kong, and transfers within Hong Kong, of all items subject to the EAR. BIS is taking this action as part of revised U.S. policy toward Hong Kong in response to the newly imposed security measures on Hong Kong by the Chinese Communist Party. These new security measures undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy and thereby increase the risk that sensitive U.S. technology and items will be illegally diverted to unauthorized end uses and end users in the PRC or to unauthorized destinations such as Iran or North Korea. This rule includes saving clauses for items, including for deemed exports.
7/22/20
85 FR 44159
Entity List final rule published 7/22/20 (85 FR 44159)
This final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding eleven entities to the Entity List. These eleven entities have been determined by the United States Government to be acting contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States and will be listed on the Entity List under the destination of the People’s Republic of China (China). This rule also modifies or revises thirty-seven existing entries on the Entity List under the destination of China
07/17/2020
85 FR 43532
Advanced Surveillance Systems and Other Items of Human Rights Concern
In this notice, the Department of Commerce (Department), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) seeks public comments on the list of items on the Export Administration Regulations’ (EAR) Commerce Control List (CCL) that are controlled for crime control and detection (CC) reasons to promote human rights throughout the world. The request for comments in this notice furthers the periodic review of items controlled for CC reasons and is intended to inform the agency’s decisions in updating (including additions and removals) items controlled for CC reasons on the CCL, as well as the related licensing requirements for such items. BIS takes this action pursuant to the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA). Comments on this notice are due by September 15, 2020.
6/18/20
85 FR 36719
Release of ‘‘Technology’’ to Certain Entities on the Entity List in the Context of Standards Organizations
Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) and 114 of its foreign affiliates were added to the Entity List by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in 2019, but continue to participate in many important international standards organizations in which U.S. companies also participate. As international standards serve as the building blocks for product development and help ensure functionality, interoperability, and safety of the products, it is important to U.S. technological leadership that U.S. companies be able to work in these bodies in order to ensure that U.S. standards proposals are fully considered. Since Huawei’s addition to the Entity List, organizations have consequently sought clarity about U.S. industry participation in standards development. BIS is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to authorize the release of certain technology to Huawei and its affiliates on the Entity List without a license if such release is made for the purpose of contributing to the revision or development of a ‘‘standard’’ in a ‘‘standards organization.’’ For the purpose of this interim final rule, a ‘‘standard’’ is as defined in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities, and a ‘‘standards organization,’’ is the equivalent of a ‘‘voluntary consensus standards body’’ as defined in Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A–119: Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformity Assessment Activities. This interim final rule does not change the assessment of whether ‘‘technology’’ is subject to the EAR. BIS is requesting comments on the impact of these revisions.
This rule is effective June 18, 2020.
Submit comments on or before August 17, 2020.
6/17/2020
85 FR 36483
Implementation of the February 2020 Australia Group Intersessional Decisions: Addition of Certain Rigid-Walled, Single-Use Cultivation Chambers and Precursor Chemicals to the Commerce Control List.
This final rule amends the EAR to implement the decisions made at the February 2020 Australia Group (AG) intersessional implementation meeting, and those later adopted pursuant to the AG’s silence procedure. ECCN 1C350 is amended by adding twenty-four precursor chemicals to 1C350.d and alphabetically reordering the precursor chemicals listed in ECCN 1C350.d to reflect these additions. ECCN 1C351 is amended by adding the Middle East respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus (MERS-related coronavirus) to ECCN 1C351.a.30. The viruses in ECCN 1C351.a that were previously numbered, in alphabetical order, as .a.30 through .a.57 are renumbered as .a.31 through .a.58, respectively. ECCN 2B352 is amended by adding a Technical Note to indicate that cultivation chamber holding devices controlled in 2B352.b.2.b include single-use cultivation chambers with rigid walls. The addition of the twenty-four precursor chemicals to ECCN 1C350.d and the disposable cultivation chambers to ECCN 2B352.b.2.b by this final rule is consistent with the finding, in accordance with the “emerging technologies” interagency process authorized under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA) (50 U.S.C. 4801-4852), that the imposition of export controls on these items is essential to the national security of the United States. Finally, although this rule does not amend ECCN 1D390, 1E001, 1E350, 1E351, 2E001, 2E002 or 2E301, “software” or “technology” related to the items added to the CCL by this rule is controlled under one or more of these ECCNs if such “software” or “technology” falls within the parameters of the controls described therein.
6/5/20
85 FR 34503
Addition of Entities to the Entity List, and Revision of Entry on the Entity List
This final rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding nine entities to the Entity List. These nine entities have been determined by the U.S. Government to be acting contrary to the foreign policy interests of the United States and will be listed on the Entity List under the destination of the People’s Republic of China (China). This rule also modifies two entries and revises one entry on the Entity List under the destination if China.
6/5/20
85 FR 34495
Addition of Entities to the Entity List, and Revision of Entry on the Entity List
In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding twenty-four entities, under twenty-five entries, to the Entity List. These twenty-four entities have been determined by the U.S. Government to be acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. The entities are located under the destination of the People’s Republic of China (China), Hong Kong and the United Kingdom (U.K.). This rule also modifies three existing entries on the Entity List under the destination of China.
06/03/2020
85 FR 34306
Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer (in-Country) Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in the People’s Republic of China, Russia, or Venezuela
Final rule, effective June 29, 2020 (Correction)
This correction rule makes no changes to the content of the Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer (in-Country) Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in the People’s Republic of China, Russia, or Venezuela final rule published April 28, 2020 (85 FR 23460)
The April 28 rule revised portions of Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) on the Commerce Control List (CCL) (Supplement No. 1 to part 774).
The April 28 rule published only the revised portions of each ECCN; this correction publishes each revised ECCN in full in accordance with prescribed formatting.
Export Administration Regulation: Amendments to General Prohibition Three (Foreign-Produced Direct Product Rule) and the Entity List
This rule amends General Prohibition Three, also known as the foreign-produced direct product rule, by exercising existing authority under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), to impose a new control over certain foreign-produced items, when there is knowledge that such items are destined to a designated entity on the Entity List. A foreign-produced item is subject to the new control if the entity for which the item is destined has a footnote 1 designation in the Entity List. This rule also applies this new control to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) and its non-U.S. affiliates listed as entities. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is requesting comments on the impact of this rule.
05/18/2020
85 FR 29610
Temporary General License: Extension of Validity, effective May 15, 2020
The U.S. Government has decided to extend through August 13, 2020, the temporary general license to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) and one hundred and fourteen of its non-U.S. affiliates on the Entity List. In order to implement this decision, this final rule revises the temporary general license to remove the expiration date of May 15, 2020, and substitute the date of August 13, 2020
BIS Rule
04/28/2020
85 FR 23496
Modification of License Exception Additional Permissive Reexports (APR); Proposed rule
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) proposes to amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by modifying License Exception Additional Permissive Reexports (APR). Specifically, BIS is proposing to remove provisions which authorize reexports of certain national security-controlled items on the Commerce Control List (CCL) to gain better visibility into transactions of national security or foreign policy interest to the United States.
BIS Proposed Rule
04/28/2020
85 FR 23470
Elimination of License Exception Civil End Users (CIV)
Final Rule, effective June 29, 2020
04/28/2020
85 FR 23459
Expansion of Export, Reexport, and Transfer (in-Country) Controls for Military End Use or Military End Users in the People’s Republic of China, Russia, or Venezuela
Final rule, effective June 29, 2020
In this final rule, The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to expand license requirements on exports, reexports, and transfers (in-country) of items intended for military end use or military end users in the People’s Republic of China (China), Russia, or Venezuela. Specifically, this rule expands the licensing requirements for China to include ‘‘military end users,’’ in addition to ‘‘military end use.’’ It broadens the list of items for which the licensing requirements and review policy apply and expands the definition of ‘‘military end use.’’
Next, it creates a new reason for control and the associated review policy for regional stability for certain items exported to China, Russia, or Venezuela, moving existing text related to this policy. Finally, it adds Electronic Export Information filing requirements in the Automated Export System for exports to China, Russia, and Venezuela.
04/02/20
85 FR 18438
Control of Firearms, Guns, Ammunition and Related Articles the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML); Notifying the Public of the Bureau’s Interim Measures with Respect to March 6, 2020 Court Order
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is publishing this notification to alert the public of the Bureau’s interim measures with respect to a court order issued on March 6, 2020.
BIS Notification of court order
State Notification of preliminary injunction
Request for Comments on Future Extensions of Temporary General License (TGL), effective March 25, 2020
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) issued a notification of inquiry requesting comments on future extensions of a temporary general license under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), published in the Federal Register on March 12, 2020 with the comment period starting on the date of display on the public inspection list on March 10, 2020 and closing on March 25, 2020. This notice reopens the comment period through April 22, 2020. Comments submitted anytime between March 10, 2020 and April 22, 2020 will be accepted and considered.
03/16/20
85 FR 14794
Addition of Entities to the Entity List, and Revision of Entry on the Entity List
In this rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding twenty-four entities to the Entity List. These twenty-four entities have been determined by the U.S. Government to be acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. These entities will be listed on the Entity List under the destinations of the People’s Republic of China (China), Iran, Pakistan, Russia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.). This rule also revises five existing entries on the Entity list, one each under the destinations of France, Iran, Lebanon, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
03/12/20
85 FR 14428
Request for Comments on Future Extensions of Temporary General License (TGL), effective March 10, 2020
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) is requesting comments on future extensions of a temporary general license under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR). BIS is requesting these comments to assist the U.S. Government in evaluating whether the temporary general license should continue to be extended, to evaluate whether any other changes may be warranted to the temporary general license, and to identify any alternative authorization or other regulatory provisions that may more effectively address what is being authorized under the temporary general license. Comments must be received by BIS no later than March 25, 2020.
03/12/20
85 FR 14416
Temporary General License: Extension of Validity, effective March 10, 2020 BIS Final rule
The U.S. Government has decided to extend through May 15, 2020, the temporary general license to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) and one hundred and fourteen of its non-U.S. affiliates on the Entity List. In order to implement this decision, this final rule revises the temporary general license to remove the expiration date of April 1, 2020, and substitute the date of May 15, 2020.
03/06/20
85 FR 13009
Amendments to Country Groups for Russia and Yemen Under the Export Administration Regulations (correcting amendment)
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) publishes this document to correct a final rule published in the Federal Register on February 24, 2020 (February 24th rule), in which BIS
amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the Country Group designations for the Russian Federation (Russia) and Yemen based on national security and foreign policy concerns, including proliferation-related concerns. This document corrects the
final rule to provide an instruction to remove Yemen from Country Group B, as was described in the preamble of the February 24th rule. This correction is effective March 6, 2020 and is applicable on February 24, 2020.
02/24/20
85 FR 10274
Amendments to Country Groups for Russia and Yemen Under the Export Administration Regulations
In this final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the Country Group designations for the Russian Federation (Russia) and Yemen based on national security and foreign policy concerns, including proliferation-related concerns. This action is intended to facilitate and support accountability in connection with exports and reexports of items to these destinations under the EAR, and is part of a larger effort to restructure and re-align the Country Groups based on the aforementioned interests.
02/18/20
FR 8722
Temporary General License: Extension of Validity, effective February 13, 2020 BIS Final rule
The U.S. Government has decided to extend through April 1, 2020, the temporary general license to Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei) and one hundred and fourteen of its non-U.S. affiliates on the Entity List. In order to implement this decision, this final rule revises the temporary general license to remove the expiration date of February 16, 2020, and substitute the date of April 1, 2020.
01/23/20
85 FR 4136
Control of Firearms, Guns, Ammunition and Related Articles the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control under the United States Munitions List (USML)
On May 24, 2018, the Department of Commerce published a proposed rule in conjunction with a Department of State proposed rule to revise Categories I (firearms, close assault weapons and combat shotguns), II (guns and armaments), and III (ammunition/ordnance) of the USML and transfer items that no longer warrant control on the USML to the Commerce Control List (CCL). This final rule responds to and adopts changes based on the comments received on the Commerce proposed rule and is being published simultaneously with a final rule by the Department of State that will revise Categories I, II, and III of the USML to describe more precisely the articles warranting continued control on that list. These revisions complete the initial review of the USML that the Department of State began in 2011 and the conforming changes made to the EAR to control these items not warranting control under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).
BIS Rule
State Rule
Category I-III Myths and Facts
State Transition Guidance for Revisions to Categories I, II and III
01/06/20
85 FR 459
Addition of Software Specially Designed to Automate the Analysis of Geospatial Imagery to the Export Control Classification Number 0Y521 Series
In this interim final rule, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to make certain items subject to the EAR and to impose a license requirement for the export and reexport of those items to all destinations, except Canada. Specifically, this rule classifies software specially designed to automate the analysis of geospatial imagery, as specified, under the Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 0Y521 series, specifically under ECCN 0D521. BIS adds this item to the 0Y521 series of ECCNs upon a determination by the Department of Commerce, with the concurrence of the Departments of Defense and State, and other agencies as appropriate, that the items warrant control for export because the items may provide a significant military or intelligence advantage to the United States or because foreign policy reasons justify control, pursuant to the ECCN 0Y521 series procedures.