Revisions To Export, Reexport, and Transfer (In-Country) Controls for Nicaragua Under the Export Administration Regulations, 18780-18784 [2024-05696]
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 71
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Airspace, Incorporation by reference,
Navigation (air).
Bureau of Industry and Security
The Amendment
15 CFR Parts 740, 742, and 744
In consideration of the foregoing, the
Federal Aviation Administration
amends 14 CFR part 71 as follows:
[Docket No. 240202–0036]
PART 71—DESIGNATION OF CLASS A,
B, C, D, AND E AIRSPACE AREAS; AIR
TRAFFIC SERVICE ROUTES; AND
REPORTING POINTS
Revisions To Export, Reexport, and
Transfer (In-Country) Controls for
Nicaragua Under the Export
Administration Regulations
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 106(g), 40103,
40113, 40120; E.O. 10854, 24 FR 9565, 3 CFR,
1959–1963 Comp., p. 389.
[Amended]
2. The incorporation by reference in
14 CFR part 71.1 of FAA Order JO
7400.11H, Airspace Designations and
Reporting Points, dated August 11,
2023, and effective September 15, 2023,
is amended as follows:
■
Paragraph 6005 Class E Airspace Areas
Extending Upward From 700 Feet or More
Above the Surface of the Earth.
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AAL AK E5
*
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Klawock, AK [Amended]
Klawock Airport, AK
(Lat. 55°34′45.2″ N, long. 133°04′33.6″ W)
That airspace extending upward from 700
feet above the surface within a 6.7-mile
radius of the airport from the 249° bearing
clockwise to the 025° bearing, within 3 miles
northwest and 3.3 miles southeast of the 043°
bearing extending from the airport to 9 miles
northeast, and within 3.3 miles southeast and
3 miles northwest of the 223° bearing
extending from the airport to 14.6 miles
southwest.
*
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Issued in Des Moines, Washington, on
February 11, 2024.
B.G. Chew,
Group Manager, Operations Support Group,
Western Service Center.
[FR Doc. 2024–05512 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
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Bureau of Industry and
Security (BIS), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
1. The authority citation for 14 CFR
part 71 continues to read as follows:
■
§ 71.1
RIN 0694–AJ34
In this final rule, BIS amends
the Export Administration Regulations
(EAR) to apply more restrictive
treatment to exports and reexports to,
and transfers (in-country) within,
Nicaragua of items subject to the EAR.
This action is consistent with the State
Department’s addition of Nicaragua to
the list of countries that are subject to
a U.S. arms embargo under the
International Traffic in Arms
Regulations (ITAR). To reflect this
changed status under the ITAR, BIS
adds Nicaragua to Country Group D:5.
BIS’s amendments also address
concerns regarding the Nicaraguan
Government’s commission of human
rights abuses against citizens and civil
society groups, as well as the regime’s
ongoing military and security
cooperation with Russia. Specifically,
BIS is moving Nicaragua from Country
Group B to Country Group D, a more
restrictive country grouping, applying a
stringent licensing policy for items
controlled for national security reasons,
and making the country subject to
‘military end use’ and ‘military end
user’ restrictions. This rule advances the
U.S. Government’s efforts to restrict the
availability of items subject to the EAR
to Nicaragua’s military and security
services. Additionally, consistent with
BIS’s authorities under the Export
Control Reform Act of 2018, this rule
demonstrates a commitment to using
export controls to protect human rights
and promote democracy.
DATES: This rule is effective March 15,
2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Anthony Christino III, Director, Foreign
Policy Division, Office of
Nonproliferation and Treaty
Compliance, Bureau of Industry and
Security, U.S. Department of Commerce,
by email at Foreign.Policy@bis.doc.gov,
or by phone at 202–482–4252.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
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Background
To address ongoing foreign policy and
national security concerns raised by the
actions of the Nicaraguan Government
under the leadership of President Daniel
Ortega, including by Nicaraguan
military and security services, BIS is
issuing this final rule that would subject
the country to more restrictive treatment
under the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR parts 730
through 774.
In particular, this rule makes
regulatory changes that reflect the U.S.
Government’s opposition to the trade of
arms with Nicaragua and its government
consistent with the State Department’s
March 15, 2024, addition of Nicaragua
to § 126.1(p) of the International Traffic
in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR
parts 120 through 130, thereby imposing
restrictions (with limited exceptions) on
the export of defense articles and
defense services destined for or
originating in the country.
Additionally, BIS’s action addresses
the Nicaraguan Government’s ongoing
dismantling of democratic institutions
and attacks on civil society. Since 2018,
President Ortega’s regime has targeted
democratic movements supported by
students and middle-class professionals
and sought to curb religious expression,
including by the Roman Catholic
church. In many instances, the
government crackdowns have been
aided and abetted by the Nicaragua
National Police (NNP), the government’s
primary law enforcement entity, and the
Nicaraguan judiciary. The NNP has been
responsible for using live ammunition
against peaceful protesters and
participating in death squads, as well as
carrying out extrajudicial killings,
disappearances, and kidnappings. As
documented by Amnesty International,
during a period of several months
starting in July 2018, the NNP and other
pro-government forces conducted
‘‘Operation Clean Up,’’ an operation in
which they deployed lethal force against
protesters resulting in hundreds of
deaths and injuries. On March 5, 2020,
the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s
Office of Foreign Assets Control
designated the NNP and three NNP
commissioners, Juan Antonio Valle
Valle, Luis Alberto Perez Olivas, and
Justo Pastor Urbina, as Specially
Designated Nationals. See https://
home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/
sm930. On March 28, 2023, BIS
amended the EAR by adding the NNP to
the Entity List (88 FR 18983; March 30,
2023).
BIS is also taking this regulatory
action to address national security and
foreign policy concerns arising out of
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Nicaragua’s deepening military and
security ties with Russia. Since 2016,
Russia has supplied Nicaragua with
military equipment and technology that
provides surveillance capabilities,
including satellite monitoring of
telecommunications. In June 2022, the
two countries renewed a decade-long
training agreement for Russian forces.
The Ortega regime has also formally
supported Russia in connection with its
February 2022 invasion of Ukraine in
various international fora, including an
October 2022 vote in support of Russia
before the United Nations General
Assembly.
Changes Made by This Rule
Consistent with the foreign policy and
national security concerns detailed
above, in this rule, BIS is making four
sets of changes to the EAR that will
subject Nicaragua to more stringent
export, reexport, and transfer (incountry) controls involving items that
are subject to the EAR. First, BIS is
adding Nicaragua to Country Group D:5
(U.S. Arms Embargoed Countries) in
supplement no. 1 to part 740 of the
EAR. This amendment is made to
conform with the State Department’s
amendment that added the country to
§ 126.1 (Prohibited exports, imports,
and sales to or from certain countries)
under paragraph (p). March 15, 2024.
Second, BIS is moving Nicaragua from
Country Group B to Country Group D:1
(see supp. no. 1 to part 740), a grouping
of countries that raise national security
concerns.
Third, Nicaragua is being added to the
countries subject to a stringent licensing
policy set forth in § 742.4 (national
security controls) in connection with
the risk of diversion to defined military
end uses and end users. Finally, this
rule makes the country subject to the
‘military end use’ and ‘military end
user’ restrictions in § 744.21.
Existing licensing requirements and
related review policies not revised by
this rule continue to apply to items
subject to the EAR that are destined for
Nicaragua. For example, items
controlled for reasons identified in
supplement no. 1 to part 738
(Commerce Country Chart) by ‘‘Xs’’ in
Columns CB1, CB2, NP1, NS1, NS2,
MT1, RS1, RS2, FC1, CC1 and CC3
remain subject to the existing controls
under the EAR. In particular, BIS will
continue to review for national security
and foreign policy (including human
rights) concerns items controlled for
regional stability to Nicaragua as set
forth in the ‘‘RS1’’ column on the
Commerce Country Chart (see
§ 742.6(b)(1)(i)). It will also continue to
review items controlled for Crime
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Control reasons pursuant to the human
rights-related standard set forth in
§ 742.7(b)(1). Additionally, pursuant to
§ 742.7(b)(2), BIS will continue to
review items destined for Nicaragua that
are controlled for all reasons apart from
short supply under the human rightsrelated standard set forth in paragraph
(b)(1).
Impact of the EAR Amendments
Country Group Related Changes
Country Group D:5
As a result of its placement in
Country Group D:5, Nicaragua will be
subject to additional restrictions in the
EAR, including on de minimis U.S.
content, license exception availability,
and licensing policy for certain items.
For example, license applications for
the export or reexport of items classified
under 9x515 or ‘‘600 series’’ Export
Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs)
to countries in Country Group D:5 are
reviewed consistent with the policies in
§ 126.1 of the ITAR, as provided in
paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of § 742.4 of the
EAR.
This rule also removes a reference to
an outdated State Department website
that is currently listed in the footnote to
Country Group D:5 (Note to Country
Group D:5). As amended, the note
directs the public to § 126.1 of the ITAR
and to Federal Register notices
regarding U.S. arms embargoes.
Country Group D:1
As a result of its placement in
Country Group D:1, Nicaragua will be
subject to more restrictive treatment
under certain part 744 end use controls
(see, e.g., § 744.3(a) (restrictions on
exports, reexports, or in-country
transfers of certain rocket systems and
unmanned aerial vehicles).
Additionally, pursuant to § 744.7,
restrictions on certain exports and
reexports to vessels and aircraft located
in Nicaraguan ports or registered in
Nicaragua will apply. The restrictions
on the export, reexport, and transfer (incountry) of certain microprocessors and
associated software and technology for
defined military end uses and end users
in Country Group D:1 pursuant to
§ 744.17 will now apply to Nicaragua.
Additionally, consistent with its
placement in Country Group D:1,
Nicaragua will be subject to two foreign
direct product (FDP) rules set forth in
§ 734.9 that apply to exports from
abroad, reexports, and transfers (incountry) of foreign-produced direct
products of U.S.-origin technology and
software, specifically, a National
Security FDP rule and a ‘600 series’ FDP
rule. See § 734.9(b)(2) and (d)(2).
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Removing Nicaragua from Country
Group B and placing it in Country
Group D:1 also makes certain license
exceptions unavailable. The license
exceptions made unavailable in full are:
Shipments of limited value (LVS)
(§ 740.3); License Exception Shipments
to Country Group B countries (GBS)
(§ 740.4); and Technology and software
under restriction (TSR) (§ 740.6). Certain
provisions in additional license
exceptions that are available to Country
Group B countries are restricted to
Country Group D:1.
Restrictive National Security-Related
Review Policy
As a result of this rule, a restrictive
licensing policy will apply to license
applications involving the export,
reexport, and transfer (in-country) to
Nicaragua of items listed on the CCL
and controlled for national security
reasons (NS items). Specifically, such
applications will now be subject to the
licensing policy in § 742.4(b)(7), which
specifies that applications involving NS
items will be reviewed to determine
whether there is a risk of diversion to a
defined military end use or end user
(see § 744.21(f) and (g)). Applications
determined to be for civil end users or
for civil end uses will be subject to a
general policy of approval. Applications
to export, reexport, or transfer (incountry) items that would make a
material contribution to the
‘‘development,’’ ‘‘production,’’
maintenance, repair, or operation of
weapons systems, subsystems, and
assemblies, such as those described in
supplement no. 7 to part 742 (major
weapons systems) will be subject to a
presumption of denial.
New Military End Use and Military End
User Controls
Finally, this rule adds Nicaragua to
the countries that are subject to the
‘military end use’ and ‘military end
user’ restrictions set forth in § 744.21.
As amended by this rule, pursuant to
§ 744.21(a)(1), a license is required for
the export, reexport, or transfer (incountry) of any item subject to the EAR
that is listed in supplement no. 2 to part
744 to Burma, Cambodia, the People’s
Republic of China, Venezuela, or
Nicaragua if there is ‘‘knowledge’’ (see
§ 772.1 of the EAR) that such item is
intended, entirely or in part, for a
‘military end use’ or ‘‘military end user’
as defined in § 744.21(f) or (g),
respectively. As a conforming change,
this rule adds a country heading for
Nicaragua in supplement no. 7 to part
744 (‘Military End-User’ (MEU) List) but
does not add any entities to the MEU
List under this new country heading.
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Saving Clause
Shipments of items removed from
license exception eligibility or eligibility
for export, reexport or transfer (incountry) without a license as a result of
this regulatory action that were on dock
for loading, on lighter, laden aboard an
exporting carrier, or en route aboard a
carrier to a port of export, on March 15,
2024, pursuant to actual orders for
exports, reexports and transfers (incountry) to a foreign destination may
proceed to that destination under the
previous license exception eligibility or
without a license so long as they have
been exported, reexported or transferred
(in-country) before April 15, 2024. Any
such items not actually exported,
reexported or transferred in-country)
before midnight, on April 15, 2024,
require a license in accordance with this
final rule.
Export Administration Regulations
On August 13, 2018, the President
signed into law the John S. McCain
National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019, which included the
Export Control Reform Act of 2018
(ECRA), 50 U.S.C. 4801–4852. ECRA
provides the legal basis for BIS’s
principal authorities and serves as the
authority under which BIS issues this
rule.
Rulemaking Requirements
1. This final rule has been determined
to be significant under Executive Order
12866.
2. Notwithstanding any other
provision of law, no person may be
required to respond to or be subject to
a penalty for failure to comply with a
collection of information, subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501
et seq.) (PRA), unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid
Office of Management and Budget
(OMB) Control Number. This regulation
involves a collection currently approved
by OMB under control number 0694–
0088, Simple Network Application
Process and Multipurpose Application
Form. This collection includes, among
other things, license applications, and
carries a burden estimate of 29.4
minutes for a manual or electronic
submission for a total burden estimate
of 36,689 hours. BIS expects an increase
of 588 burden hours for this collection.
This collection is currently under a 60day Federal Register notice for public
comment (88 FR 85586) published on
December 8, 2023. These additional
burden hours will be added during this
renewal process.
3. This rule does not contain policies
with federalism implications as that
term is defined under Executive Order
13132.
4. Pursuant to section 1762 of the
Export Control Reform Act of 2018, this
action is exempt from the
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C.
553) requirements for notice of
proposed rulemaking, opportunity for
public participation, and delay in
effective date. Because neither the
Administrative Procedure Act nor any
other law requires that notice of
proposed rulemaking and an
opportunity for public comment be
given for this rule, the analytical
requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are
not applicable. Accordingly, no Final
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is
required and none was prepared.
List of Subjects
15 CFR Part 740
Administrative practice and
procedure, Exports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
15 CFR Part 742
Exports, Terrorism.
15 CFR Part 744
Exports, Reexports and recordkeeping
requirements, Terrorism.
Accordingly, the Export
Administration Regulations (15 CFR
parts 740, 742, and 744) are amended as
follows:
PART 740—LICENSE EXCEPTIONS
1. The authority citation for part 740
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801–4852; 50 U.S.C.
4601 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C.
7201 et seq.; E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3 CFR,
1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13222, 66 FR 44025,
3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 783.
2. Supplement no. 1 to part 740 is
amended by:
■ a. In the Country Group B table,
removing ‘‘Nicaragua’’; and
■ b. In the Country Group D table,
adding an entry for ‘‘Nicaragua’’ in
alphabetical order and revising footnote
1 to the table.
The addition and revision read as
follows:
■
Supplement No. 1 to Part 740—Country
Groups
*
*
*
*
*
COUNTRY GROUP D
[D: 1]
National
security
Country
*
*
*
Nicaragua .............................................................................
*
*
*
*
X
[D: 3]
Chemical &
biological
[D: 2]
Nuclear
*
........................ ........................
*
[D: 4]
Missile
technology
*
........................
*
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1 Note
[D: 5]
U.S. arms
embargoed
countries 1
*
X
*
to Country Group D:5: Countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes are identified by the State Department through notices published in
the Federal Register. The list of arms embargoed destinations in this table is drawn from 22 CFR 126.1 and State Department Federal Register notices related to arms embargoes and will be amended when the State Department publishes subsequent notices. If there are any discrepancies between the list of countries in this table and the countries identified by the State Department as subject to a U.S. arms embargo (in
the Federal Register), the State Department’s list of countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes shall be controlling.
*
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PART 742—CONTROL POLICY—CCL
BASED CONTROLS
3. The authority citation for part 742
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801–4852; 50 U.S.C.
4601 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C.
3201 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2139a; 22 U.S.C. 7201
et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7210; Sec. 1503, Pub. L.
108–11, 117 Stat. 559; E.O. 12058, 43 FR
20947, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 179; E.O.
12851, 58 FR 33181, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p.
608; E.O. 12938, 59 FR 59099, 3 CFR, 1994
Comp., p. 950; E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3
CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13222, 66 FR
44025, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 783;
Presidential Determination 2003–23, 68 FR
26459, 3 CFR, 2004 Comp., p. 320; Notice of
November 8, 2022, 87 FR 68015 (November
10, 2022).
4. Amend § 742.4 by revising the first
sentence of paragraph (b)(7)(i) to read as
follows:
■
§ 742.4
National security.
*
*
*
*
*
(b) * * *
(7)(i) For Burma, Cambodia, the
People’s Republic of China (PRC),
Nicaragua, and Venezuela, all
applications will be reviewed to
determine the risk of diversion to a
military end user or military end
use. * * *
*
*
*
*
*
PART 744—CONTROL POLICY: ENDUSER AND END-USE BASED
5. The authority citation for part 744
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801–4852; 50 U.S.C.
4601 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C.
3201 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2139a; 22 U.S.C. 7201
et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7210; E.O. 12058, 43 FR
20947, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 179; E.O.
12851, 58 FR 33181, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p.
608; E.O. 12938, 59 FR 59099, 3 CFR, 1994
Comp., p. 950; E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3
CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13099, 63 FR
45167, 3 CFR, 1998 Comp., p. 208; E.O.
13222, 66 FR 44025, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p.
783; E.O. 13224, 66 FR 49079, 3 CFR, 2001
Comp., p. 786; Notice of November 8, 2022,
87 FR 68015, 3 CFR, 2022 Comp., p. 563;
Notice of September 7, 2023, 88 FR 62439
(September 11, 2023).
6. Amend § 744.21 by revising
paragraphs (a), (b) introductory text,
(b)(1), and (e)(3) to read as follows:
■
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§ 744.21 Restrictions on certain ‘military
end uses’ or ‘military end users’.
(a) General prohibition. In addition to
the license requirements for items
specified on the Commerce Control List
(CCL) (supplement no. 1 to part 774 of
the EAR), you may not export, reexport,
or transfer (in-country):
(1) Any item subject to the EAR listed
in supplement no. 2 to this part without
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a license if, at the time of the export,
reexport, or transfer (in-country), you
have ‘‘knowledge,’’ as defined in § 772.1
of the EAR, that the item is intended,
entirely or in part, for a ‘military end
use,’ as defined in paragraph (f) of this
section, in Burma, Cambodia, the
People’s Republic of China (China),
Nicaragua, or Venezuela, or a Burmese,
Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or
Venezuelan ‘military end user,’ as
defined in paragraph (g) of this section,
wherever located. ‘Military end users’
located outside of Burma, Cambodia,
China, Nicaragua, or Venezuela are
limited to entities identified on the
‘Military End-User’ (MEU) List under
supplement no. 7 to this part.
(2) Any item subject to the EAR
without a license if, at the time of the
export, reexport, or transfer (in-country),
you have ‘‘knowledge,’’ as defined in
§ 772.1 of the EAR that the item is
intended, entirely or in part, for a
‘military end use,’ as defined in
paragraph (f) of this section, in Belarus
or Russia, or a Belarusian or Russian
‘military end user,’ as defined in
paragraph (g) of this section, wherever
located. Belarusian or Russian ‘military
end users’ located outside of Belarus or
Russia are limited to entities identified
on the Entity List under supplement no.
4 to this part with a footnote 3
designation.
Note 1 to paragraphs (a)(1) and (2): An
entity anywhere in the world, including in
Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, or
Venezuela, may be listed on the Entity List
as a Belarusian or Russian ‘military end user’
with a footnote 3 designation. If the entity is
not a Belarusian or Russian ‘military end
user,’ but has otherwise been identified by
the End User Review Committee (ERC) as a
‘military end user,’ that entity may be
identified under the ‘Military End-User’
(MEU) List under supplement no. 7 to this
part. As noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this
section, exporters, reexporters, and
transferors, even in the absence of any such
notification, are not excused from
compliance with the license requirements of
this paragraph (a) for all entities in Burma,
Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, or Venezuela to
determine whether the entity is a ‘military
end user’ for purposes of paragraph (g) of this
section because supplement no. 7 is not an
exhaustive listing of ‘military end users’ in
those countries. As noted in paragraph (a)(2)
of this section, exporters, reexporters, and
transferors, even in the absence of any such
notification, are not excused from
compliance with the license requirements of
this paragraph (a) for all entities in Belarus
or Russia to determine whether the entity is
a ‘military end user’ for purposes of
paragraph (g) of this section because
supplement no. 4 under this part is not an
exhaustive listing of ‘military end users’ in
those countries.
(b) Additional prohibition on those
informed by BIS. BIS may inform you
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18783
either individually by specific notice,
through amendment to the EAR
published in the Federal Register, or
through a separate notification
published in the Federal Register, that
a license is required for specific exports,
reexports, or transfers (in-country) of
any item because there is an
unacceptable risk of use in or diversion
to a ‘military end use’ in Belarus,
Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, the
Russian Federation, or Venezuela, or for
a Belarusian, Burmese, Cambodian,
Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or
Venezuelan ‘military end user,’
wherever located. Specific notice will
be given only by, or at the direction of,
the Deputy Assistant Secretary for
Export Administration. When such
notice is provided orally, it will be
followed by written notice within two
working days signed by the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Export
Administration or the Deputy Assistant
Secretary’s designee. The absence of BIS
notification does not excuse the
exporter from compliance with the
license requirements of paragraph (a) of
this section.
(1) ‘Military End-User’ (MEU) List. BIS
may inform and provide notice to the
public that certain entities are subject to
the additional prohibition described
under this paragraph (b) following a
determination by the End-User Review
Committee (ERC) that a specific entity is
a ‘military end user’ pursuant to this
section and therefore any exports,
reexports, or transfers (in-country) to
that entity represent an unacceptable
risk of use in or diversion to a ‘military
end use’ in Belarus, Burma, Cambodia,
China, Nicaragua, the Russian
Federation, or Venezuela, or for a
Belarusian, Burmese, Cambodian,
Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or
Venezuelan ‘military end user,’
wherever located. Such Burmese,
Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or
Venezuelan ‘military end users’ may be
added to supplement no. 7 to this part
(MEU List). Such Belarusian or Russian
‘military end users’ may also be added
to supplement no. 4 to this part (Entity
List) and will be listed with a footnote
3 designation. License requirements for
listed MEU are described in paragraph
(b)(1)(ii) of this section. The listing of
entities under supplement no. 7 or 4 to
this part is not an exhaustive listing of
‘military end users’ for purposes of this
section, except for ‘military end users’
of a country identified in this section
(Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China,
Nicaragua, the Russian Federation, or
Venezuela) not located in that same
country. As specified in paragraphs
(a)(1) and (2) of this section, ‘military
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18784
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 52 / Friday, March 15, 2024 / Rules and Regulations
end users’ of a country identified in this
section not located in that same country
are exhaustively listed on either the
Entity List with a footnote 3 designation
or on the MEU List under supplement
no. 7 this part. Exporters, reexporters,
and transferors are responsible for
determining whether transactions with
entities not listed on supplement no. 7
or 4 to this part are subject to a license
requirement under paragraph (a) of this
section. The process in this paragraph
(b)(1) for placing entities on the MEU
List and Entity List is only one method
BIS may use to inform exporters,
reexporters, and transferors of license
requirements under this section.
(i) End-User Review Committee (ERC).
The End-User Review Committee (ERC),
composed of representatives of the
Departments of Commerce (Chair),
State, Defense, Energy and, where
appropriate, the Treasury, makes all
decisions regarding additions to,
removals from, or other modifications to
the MEU List and Entity List. Decisions
by the ERC for purposes of the MEU List
and Entity List will be made following
the procedures identified in this section
and in supplement no. 5 to this part
(Procedures for End-User Review
Committee Entity List and ‘Military End
User’ (MEU) List Decisions).
(ii) License requirement for parties to
the transaction. Consistent with
paragraph (a) of this section, a license is
required for the export, reexport, or
transfer (in-country) of any item subject
to the EAR listed in supplement no. 2
to this part when an entity that is listed
on the MEU List as a Burmese,
Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or
Venezuelan ‘military end user’ is a party
to the transaction as described in
§ 748.5(c) through (f) of the EAR.
Consistent with paragraph (a) of this
section, a license is required for the
export, reexport, or transfer (in-country)
of any item subject to the EAR when a
Belarusian or Russian ‘military end
user’ that is listed on the Entity List
pursuant to this section is a party to the
transaction as described in § 748.5(c)
through (f) of the EAR.
*
*
*
*
*
(e) * * *
(3) Applications for items requiring a
license for any reason that are destined
for a ‘military end use’ in Belarus,
Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, the
Russian Federation, or Venezuela or for
a Belarusian, Burmese, Cambodian,
Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or
Venezuelan ‘military end user,’
wherever located, also will be subject to
the review policy stated in paragraph
(e)(1) of this section.
*
*
*
*
*
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:00 Mar 14, 2024
Jkt 262001
7. Supplement no. 7 to part 744 is
amended in the table by adding in
alphabetical order an entry for
‘‘Nicaragua’’ to read as follows:
■
Supplement No. 7 to Part 744—
‘Military End-User’ (Meu) List
*
*
*
*
Country
*
*
Federal
Register
citation
Entity
*
*
*
NICARAGUA .....
[Reserved]
*
*
*
*
[Reserved].
*
*
heading of this final rule into the
‘‘Search’’ box and follow the prompts,
and/or go to the Dockets Management
Staff, 5630 Fishers Lane, Rm. 1061,
Rockville, MD 20852, 240–402–7500.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Rumana Yasmeen, Office of Nutrition
and Food Labeling (HFS–820), Center
for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition,
Food and Drug Administration, 5001
Campus Dr., College Park, MD 20740,
240–402–2371; or Alexandra Beliveau,
Office of Regulations and Policy (HFS–
024), Center for Food Safety and
Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug
Administration, 5001 Campus Dr.,
College Park, MD 20740, 240–402–2378.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents
Thea D. Rozman Kendler,
Assistant Secretary for Export
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024–05696 Filed 3–14–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–33–P
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES
Food and Drug Administration
21 CFR Part 152
[Docket No. FDA–2020–N–1690]
RIN 0910–AI17
Frozen Cherry Pie; Revocation of a
Standard of Identity and a Standard of
Quality
AGENCY:
Food and Drug Administration,
HHS.
ACTION:
Final rule.
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA or we) is revoking
the standard of identity and the
standard of quality for frozen cherry pie.
This action, in part, responds to a
citizen petition submitted by the
American Bakers Association (ABA).
We conclude that these standards are no
longer necessary to promote honesty
and fair dealing in the interest of
consumers. Revocation of the standards
of identity and quality for frozen cherry
pie will provide greater flexibility in the
product’s manufacture, consistent with
comparable, nonstandardized foods
available in the marketplace.
DATES: This rule is effective April 15,
2024.
SUMMARY:
For access to the docket to
read background documents or
comments received, go to https://
www.regulations.gov and insert the
docket number found in brackets in the
ADDRESSES:
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Final Rule
B. Summary of the Major Provisions
of the Final Rule
C. Legal Authority
D. Costs and Benefits
II. Background
A. Need for the Regulation/History of
This Rulemaking
B. Summary of Comments to the
Proposed Rule
III. Legal Authority
IV. Comments on the Proposed Rule and
FDA Response
A. Introduction
B. Description of General Comments
C. Comments Related to Labeling of
Frozen Cherry Pie
D. Comments Related to Quality of
Frozen Cherry Pie
E. Comments Related to Safety of
Frozen Cherry Pie
F. Miscellaneous Comments
V. Effective Date
VI. Economic Analysis of Impacts
VII. Analysis of Environmental Impact
VIII. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
IX. Federalism
X. Consultation and Coordination with
Indian Tribal Governments
XI. Reference
I. Executive Summary
A. Purpose of the Final Rule
The final rule revokes the standards of
identity and quality for frozen cherry
pie. This action, in part, responds to a
citizen petition submitted by the ABA.
We conclude that the standards of
identity and quality for frozen cherry
pie are no longer necessary to promote
honesty and fair dealing in the interest
of consumers. Revoking these standards
will provide greater flexibility in the
product’s manufacture, consistent with
comparable, nonstandardized foods
available in the marketplace.
E:\FR\FM\15MRR1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 52 (Friday, March 15, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18780-18784]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05696]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
15 CFR Parts 740, 742, and 744
[Docket No. 240202-0036]
RIN 0694-AJ34
Revisions To Export, Reexport, and Transfer (In-Country) Controls
for Nicaragua Under the Export Administration Regulations
AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Commerce.
ACTION: Final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In this final rule, BIS amends the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR) to apply more restrictive treatment to exports and
reexports to, and transfers (in-country) within, Nicaragua of items
subject to the EAR. This action is consistent with the State
Department's addition of Nicaragua to the list of countries that are
subject to a U.S. arms embargo under the International Traffic in Arms
Regulations (ITAR). To reflect this changed status under the ITAR, BIS
adds Nicaragua to Country Group D:5. BIS's amendments also address
concerns regarding the Nicaraguan Government's commission of human
rights abuses against citizens and civil society groups, as well as the
regime's ongoing military and security cooperation with Russia.
Specifically, BIS is moving Nicaragua from Country Group B to Country
Group D, a more restrictive country grouping, applying a stringent
licensing policy for items controlled for national security reasons,
and making the country subject to `military end use' and `military end
user' restrictions. This rule advances the U.S. Government's efforts to
restrict the availability of items subject to the EAR to Nicaragua's
military and security services. Additionally, consistent with BIS's
authorities under the Export Control Reform Act of 2018, this rule
demonstrates a commitment to using export controls to protect human
rights and promote democracy.
DATES: This rule is effective March 15, 2024.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anthony Christino III, Director,
Foreign Policy Division, Office of Nonproliferation and Treaty
Compliance, Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of
Commerce, by email at [email protected], or by phone at 202-
482-4252.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
To address ongoing foreign policy and national security concerns
raised by the actions of the Nicaraguan Government under the leadership
of President Daniel Ortega, including by Nicaraguan military and
security services, BIS is issuing this final rule that would subject
the country to more restrictive treatment under the Export
Administration Regulations (EAR), 15 CFR parts 730 through 774.
In particular, this rule makes regulatory changes that reflect the
U.S. Government's opposition to the trade of arms with Nicaragua and
its government consistent with the State Department's March 15, 2024,
addition of Nicaragua to Sec. 126.1(p) of the International Traffic in
Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR parts 120 through 130, thereby imposing
restrictions (with limited exceptions) on the export of defense
articles and defense services destined for or originating in the
country.
Additionally, BIS's action addresses the Nicaraguan Government's
ongoing dismantling of democratic institutions and attacks on civil
society. Since 2018, President Ortega's regime has targeted democratic
movements supported by students and middle-class professionals and
sought to curb religious expression, including by the Roman Catholic
church. In many instances, the government crackdowns have been aided
and abetted by the Nicaragua National Police (NNP), the government's
primary law enforcement entity, and the Nicaraguan judiciary. The NNP
has been responsible for using live ammunition against peaceful
protesters and participating in death squads, as well as carrying out
extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and kidnappings. As documented
by Amnesty International, during a period of several months starting in
July 2018, the NNP and other pro-government forces conducted
``Operation Clean Up,'' an operation in which they deployed lethal
force against protesters resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries.
On March 5, 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of
Foreign Assets Control designated the NNP and three NNP commissioners,
Juan Antonio Valle Valle, Luis Alberto Perez Olivas, and Justo Pastor
Urbina, as Specially Designated Nationals. See https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sm930. On March 28, 2023, BIS
amended the EAR by adding the NNP to the Entity List (88 FR 18983;
March 30, 2023).
BIS is also taking this regulatory action to address national
security and foreign policy concerns arising out of
[[Page 18781]]
Nicaragua's deepening military and security ties with Russia. Since
2016, Russia has supplied Nicaragua with military equipment and
technology that provides surveillance capabilities, including satellite
monitoring of telecommunications. In June 2022, the two countries
renewed a decade-long training agreement for Russian forces. The Ortega
regime has also formally supported Russia in connection with its
February 2022 invasion of Ukraine in various international fora,
including an October 2022 vote in support of Russia before the United
Nations General Assembly.
Changes Made by This Rule
Consistent with the foreign policy and national security concerns
detailed above, in this rule, BIS is making four sets of changes to the
EAR that will subject Nicaragua to more stringent export, reexport, and
transfer (in-country) controls involving items that are subject to the
EAR. First, BIS is adding Nicaragua to Country Group D:5 (U.S. Arms
Embargoed Countries) in supplement no. 1 to part 740 of the EAR. This
amendment is made to conform with the State Department's amendment that
added the country to Sec. 126.1 (Prohibited exports, imports, and
sales to or from certain countries) under paragraph (p). March 15,
2024.
Second, BIS is moving Nicaragua from Country Group B to Country
Group D:1 (see supp. no. 1 to part 740), a grouping of countries that
raise national security concerns.
Third, Nicaragua is being added to the countries subject to a
stringent licensing policy set forth in Sec. 742.4 (national security
controls) in connection with the risk of diversion to defined military
end uses and end users. Finally, this rule makes the country subject to
the `military end use' and `military end user' restrictions in Sec.
744.21.
Existing licensing requirements and related review policies not
revised by this rule continue to apply to items subject to the EAR that
are destined for Nicaragua. For example, items controlled for reasons
identified in supplement no. 1 to part 738 (Commerce Country Chart) by
``Xs'' in Columns CB1, CB2, NP1, NS1, NS2, MT1, RS1, RS2, FC1, CC1 and
CC3 remain subject to the existing controls under the EAR. In
particular, BIS will continue to review for national security and
foreign policy (including human rights) concerns items controlled for
regional stability to Nicaragua as set forth in the ``RS1'' column on
the Commerce Country Chart (see Sec. 742.6(b)(1)(i)). It will also
continue to review items controlled for Crime Control reasons pursuant
to the human rights-related standard set forth in Sec. 742.7(b)(1).
Additionally, pursuant to Sec. 742.7(b)(2), BIS will continue to
review items destined for Nicaragua that are controlled for all reasons
apart from short supply under the human rights-related standard set
forth in paragraph (b)(1).
Impact of the EAR Amendments
Country Group Related Changes
Country Group D:5
As a result of its placement in Country Group D:5, Nicaragua will
be subject to additional restrictions in the EAR, including on de
minimis U.S. content, license exception availability, and licensing
policy for certain items. For example, license applications for the
export or reexport of items classified under 9x515 or ``600 series''
Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) to countries in Country
Group D:5 are reviewed consistent with the policies in Sec. 126.1 of
the ITAR, as provided in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of Sec. 742.4 of the
EAR.
This rule also removes a reference to an outdated State Department
website that is currently listed in the footnote to Country Group D:5
(Note to Country Group D:5). As amended, the note directs the public to
Sec. 126.1 of the ITAR and to Federal Register notices regarding U.S.
arms embargoes.
Country Group D:1
As a result of its placement in Country Group D:1, Nicaragua will
be subject to more restrictive treatment under certain part 744 end use
controls (see, e.g., Sec. 744.3(a) (restrictions on exports,
reexports, or in-country transfers of certain rocket systems and
unmanned aerial vehicles). Additionally, pursuant to Sec. 744.7,
restrictions on certain exports and reexports to vessels and aircraft
located in Nicaraguan ports or registered in Nicaragua will apply. The
restrictions on the export, reexport, and transfer (in-country) of
certain microprocessors and associated software and technology for
defined military end uses and end users in Country Group D:1 pursuant
to Sec. 744.17 will now apply to Nicaragua. Additionally, consistent
with its placement in Country Group D:1, Nicaragua will be subject to
two foreign direct product (FDP) rules set forth in Sec. 734.9 that
apply to exports from abroad, reexports, and transfers (in-country) of
foreign-produced direct products of U.S.-origin technology and
software, specifically, a National Security FDP rule and a `600 series'
FDP rule. See Sec. 734.9(b)(2) and (d)(2).
Removing Nicaragua from Country Group B and placing it in Country
Group D:1 also makes certain license exceptions unavailable. The
license exceptions made unavailable in full are: Shipments of limited
value (LVS) (Sec. 740.3); License Exception Shipments to Country Group
B countries (GBS) (Sec. 740.4); and Technology and software under
restriction (TSR) (Sec. 740.6). Certain provisions in additional
license exceptions that are available to Country Group B countries are
restricted to Country Group D:1.
Restrictive National Security-Related Review Policy
As a result of this rule, a restrictive licensing policy will apply
to license applications involving the export, reexport, and transfer
(in-country) to Nicaragua of items listed on the CCL and controlled for
national security reasons (NS items). Specifically, such applications
will now be subject to the licensing policy in Sec. 742.4(b)(7), which
specifies that applications involving NS items will be reviewed to
determine whether there is a risk of diversion to a defined military
end use or end user (see Sec. 744.21(f) and (g)). Applications
determined to be for civil end users or for civil end uses will be
subject to a general policy of approval. Applications to export,
reexport, or transfer (in-country) items that would make a material
contribution to the ``development,'' ``production,'' maintenance,
repair, or operation of weapons systems, subsystems, and assemblies,
such as those described in supplement no. 7 to part 742 (major weapons
systems) will be subject to a presumption of denial.
New Military End Use and Military End User Controls
Finally, this rule adds Nicaragua to the countries that are subject
to the `military end use' and `military end user' restrictions set
forth in Sec. 744.21. As amended by this rule, pursuant to Sec.
744.21(a)(1), a license is required for the export, reexport, or
transfer (in-country) of any item subject to the EAR that is listed in
supplement no. 2 to part 744 to Burma, Cambodia, the People's Republic
of China, Venezuela, or Nicaragua if there is ``knowledge'' (see Sec.
772.1 of the EAR) that such item is intended, entirely or in part, for
a `military end use' or ``military end user' as defined in Sec.
744.21(f) or (g), respectively. As a conforming change, this rule adds
a country heading for Nicaragua in supplement no. 7 to part 744
(`Military End-User' (MEU) List) but does not add any entities to the
MEU List under this new country heading.
[[Page 18782]]
Saving Clause
Shipments of items removed from license exception eligibility or
eligibility for export, reexport or transfer (in-country) without a
license as a result of this regulatory action that were on dock for
loading, on lighter, laden aboard an exporting carrier, or en route
aboard a carrier to a port of export, on March 15, 2024, pursuant to
actual orders for exports, reexports and transfers (in-country) to a
foreign destination may proceed to that destination under the previous
license exception eligibility or without a license so long as they have
been exported, reexported or transferred (in-country) before April 15,
2024. Any such items not actually exported, reexported or transferred
in-country) before midnight, on April 15, 2024, require a license in
accordance with this final rule.
Export Administration Regulations
On August 13, 2018, the President signed into law the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019, which
included the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), 50 U.S.C. 4801-
4852. ECRA provides the legal basis for BIS's principal authorities and
serves as the authority under which BIS issues this rule.
Rulemaking Requirements
1. This final rule has been determined to be significant under
Executive Order 12866.
2. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person may be
required to respond to or be subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with a collection of information, subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) (PRA), unless
that collection of information displays a currently valid Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) Control Number. This regulation involves a
collection currently approved by OMB under control number 0694-0088,
Simple Network Application Process and Multipurpose Application Form.
This collection includes, among other things, license applications, and
carries a burden estimate of 29.4 minutes for a manual or electronic
submission for a total burden estimate of 36,689 hours. BIS expects an
increase of 588 burden hours for this collection. This collection is
currently under a 60-day Federal Register notice for public comment (88
FR 85586) published on December 8, 2023. These additional burden hours
will be added during this renewal process.
3. This rule does not contain policies with federalism implications
as that term is defined under Executive Order 13132.
4. Pursuant to section 1762 of the Export Control Reform Act of
2018, this action is exempt from the Administrative Procedure Act (5
U.S.C. 553) requirements for notice of proposed rulemaking, opportunity
for public participation, and delay in effective date. Because neither
the Administrative Procedure Act nor any other law requires that notice
of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for public comment be given
for this rule, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) are not applicable. Accordingly,
no Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is required and none was
prepared.
List of Subjects
15 CFR Part 740
Administrative practice and procedure, Exports, Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements.
15 CFR Part 742
Exports, Terrorism.
15 CFR Part 744
Exports, Reexports and recordkeeping requirements, Terrorism.
Accordingly, the Export Administration Regulations (15 CFR parts
740, 742, and 744) are amended as follows:
PART 740--LICENSE EXCEPTIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 740 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801-4852; 50 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.; 50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7201 et seq.; E.O. 13026, 61 FR
58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13222, 66 FR 44025, 3 CFR,
2001 Comp., p. 783.
0
2. Supplement no. 1 to part 740 is amended by:
0
a. In the Country Group B table, removing ``Nicaragua''; and
0
b. In the Country Group D table, adding an entry for ``Nicaragua'' in
alphabetical order and revising footnote 1 to the table.
The addition and revision read as follows:
Supplement No. 1 to Part 740--Country Groups
* * * * *
Country Group D
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[D: 5] U.S.
Country [D: 1] National [D: 2] Nuclear [D: 3] Chemical [D: 4] Missile arms embargoed
security & biological technology countries \1\
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
Nicaragua.......................................................... X ............... ............... ............... X
* * * * * * *
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Note to Country Group D:5: Countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes are identified by the State Department through notices published in the Federal
Register. The list of arms embargoed destinations in this table is drawn from 22 CFR 126.1 and State Department Federal Register notices related to
arms embargoes and will be amended when the State Department publishes subsequent notices. If there are any discrepancies between the list of
countries in this table and the countries identified by the State Department as subject to a U.S. arms embargo (in the Federal Register), the State
Department's list of countries subject to U.S. arms embargoes shall be controlling.
* * * * *
[[Page 18783]]
PART 742--CONTROL POLICY--CCL BASED CONTROLS
0
3. The authority citation for part 742 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801-4852; 50 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.; 50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2139a; 22
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7210; Sec. 1503, Pub. L. 108-11, 117
Stat. 559; E.O. 12058, 43 FR 20947, 3 CFR, 1978 Comp., p. 179; E.O.
12851, 58 FR 33181, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p. 608; E.O. 12938, 59 FR
59099, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 950; E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3 CFR,
1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13222, 66 FR 44025, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p.
783; Presidential Determination 2003-23, 68 FR 26459, 3 CFR, 2004
Comp., p. 320; Notice of November 8, 2022, 87 FR 68015 (November 10,
2022).
0
4. Amend Sec. 742.4 by revising the first sentence of paragraph
(b)(7)(i) to read as follows:
Sec. 742.4 National security.
* * * * *
(b) * * *
(7)(i) For Burma, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China (PRC),
Nicaragua, and Venezuela, all applications will be reviewed to
determine the risk of diversion to a military end user or military end
use. * * *
* * * * *
PART 744--CONTROL POLICY: END-USER AND END-USE BASED
0
5. The authority citation for part 744 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 50 U.S.C. 4801-4852; 50 U.S.C. 4601 et seq.; 50
U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.; 42 U.S.C. 2139a; 22
U.S.C. 7201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 7210; E.O. 12058, 43 FR 20947, 3 CFR,
1978 Comp., p. 179; E.O. 12851, 58 FR 33181, 3 CFR, 1993 Comp., p.
608; E.O. 12938, 59 FR 59099, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 950; E.O. 13026,
61 FR 58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp., p. 228; E.O. 13099, 63 FR 45167, 3
CFR, 1998 Comp., p. 208; E.O. 13222, 66 FR 44025, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp.,
p. 783; E.O. 13224, 66 FR 49079, 3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 786; Notice
of November 8, 2022, 87 FR 68015, 3 CFR, 2022 Comp., p. 563; Notice
of September 7, 2023, 88 FR 62439 (September 11, 2023).
0
6. Amend Sec. 744.21 by revising paragraphs (a), (b) introductory
text, (b)(1), and (e)(3) to read as follows:
Sec. 744.21 Restrictions on certain `military end uses' or `military
end users'.
(a) General prohibition. In addition to the license requirements
for items specified on the Commerce Control List (CCL) (supplement no.
1 to part 774 of the EAR), you may not export, reexport, or transfer
(in-country):
(1) Any item subject to the EAR listed in supplement no. 2 to this
part without a license if, at the time of the export, reexport, or
transfer (in-country), you have ``knowledge,'' as defined in Sec.
772.1 of the EAR, that the item is intended, entirely or in part, for a
`military end use,' as defined in paragraph (f) of this section, in
Burma, Cambodia, the People's Republic of China (China), Nicaragua, or
Venezuela, or a Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or Venezuelan
`military end user,' as defined in paragraph (g) of this section,
wherever located. `Military end users' located outside of Burma,
Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, or Venezuela are limited to entities
identified on the `Military End-User' (MEU) List under supplement no. 7
to this part.
(2) Any item subject to the EAR without a license if, at the time
of the export, reexport, or transfer (in-country), you have
``knowledge,'' as defined in Sec. 772.1 of the EAR that the item is
intended, entirely or in part, for a `military end use,' as defined in
paragraph (f) of this section, in Belarus or Russia, or a Belarusian or
Russian `military end user,' as defined in paragraph (g) of this
section, wherever located. Belarusian or Russian `military end users'
located outside of Belarus or Russia are limited to entities identified
on the Entity List under supplement no. 4 to this part with a footnote
3 designation.
Note 1 to paragraphs (a)(1) and (2): An entity anywhere in the
world, including in Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, or Venezuela,
may be listed on the Entity List as a Belarusian or Russian
`military end user' with a footnote 3 designation. If the entity is
not a Belarusian or Russian `military end user,' but has otherwise
been identified by the End User Review Committee (ERC) as a
`military end user,' that entity may be identified under the
`Military End-User' (MEU) List under supplement no. 7 to this part.
As noted in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, exporters,
reexporters, and transferors, even in the absence of any such
notification, are not excused from compliance with the license
requirements of this paragraph (a) for all entities in Burma,
Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, or Venezuela to determine whether the
entity is a `military end user' for purposes of paragraph (g) of
this section because supplement no. 7 is not an exhaustive listing
of `military end users' in those countries. As noted in paragraph
(a)(2) of this section, exporters, reexporters, and transferors,
even in the absence of any such notification, are not excused from
compliance with the license requirements of this paragraph (a) for
all entities in Belarus or Russia to determine whether the entity is
a `military end user' for purposes of paragraph (g) of this section
because supplement no. 4 under this part is not an exhaustive
listing of `military end users' in those countries.
(b) Additional prohibition on those informed by BIS. BIS may inform
you either individually by specific notice, through amendment to the
EAR published in the Federal Register, or through a separate
notification published in the Federal Register, that a license is
required for specific exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) of
any item because there is an unacceptable risk of use in or diversion
to a `military end use' in Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua,
the Russian Federation, or Venezuela, or for a Belarusian, Burmese,
Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or Venezuelan `military end
user,' wherever located. Specific notice will be given only by, or at
the direction of, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Export
Administration. When such notice is provided orally, it will be
followed by written notice within two working days signed by the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration or the Deputy Assistant
Secretary's designee. The absence of BIS notification does not excuse
the exporter from compliance with the license requirements of paragraph
(a) of this section.
(1) `Military End-User' (MEU) List. BIS may inform and provide
notice to the public that certain entities are subject to the
additional prohibition described under this paragraph (b) following a
determination by the End-User Review Committee (ERC) that a specific
entity is a `military end user' pursuant to this section and therefore
any exports, reexports, or transfers (in-country) to that entity
represent an unacceptable risk of use in or diversion to a `military
end use' in Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, the Russian
Federation, or Venezuela, or for a Belarusian, Burmese, Cambodian,
Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or Venezuelan `military end user,'
wherever located. Such Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or
Venezuelan `military end users' may be added to supplement no. 7 to
this part (MEU List). Such Belarusian or Russian `military end users'
may also be added to supplement no. 4 to this part (Entity List) and
will be listed with a footnote 3 designation. License requirements for
listed MEU are described in paragraph (b)(1)(ii) of this section. The
listing of entities under supplement no. 7 or 4 to this part is not an
exhaustive listing of `military end users' for purposes of this
section, except for `military end users' of a country identified in
this section (Belarus, Burma, Cambodia, China, Nicaragua, the Russian
Federation, or Venezuela) not located in that same country. As
specified in paragraphs (a)(1) and (2) of this section, `military
[[Page 18784]]
end users' of a country identified in this section not located in that
same country are exhaustively listed on either the Entity List with a
footnote 3 designation or on the MEU List under supplement no. 7 this
part. Exporters, reexporters, and transferors are responsible for
determining whether transactions with entities not listed on supplement
no. 7 or 4 to this part are subject to a license requirement under
paragraph (a) of this section. The process in this paragraph (b)(1) for
placing entities on the MEU List and Entity List is only one method BIS
may use to inform exporters, reexporters, and transferors of license
requirements under this section.
(i) End-User Review Committee (ERC). The End-User Review Committee
(ERC), composed of representatives of the Departments of Commerce
(Chair), State, Defense, Energy and, where appropriate, the Treasury,
makes all decisions regarding additions to, removals from, or other
modifications to the MEU List and Entity List. Decisions by the ERC for
purposes of the MEU List and Entity List will be made following the
procedures identified in this section and in supplement no. 5 to this
part (Procedures for End-User Review Committee Entity List and
`Military End User' (MEU) List Decisions).
(ii) License requirement for parties to the transaction. Consistent
with paragraph (a) of this section, a license is required for the
export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) of any item subject to the
EAR listed in supplement no. 2 to this part when an entity that is
listed on the MEU List as a Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, or
Venezuelan `military end user' is a party to the transaction as
described in Sec. 748.5(c) through (f) of the EAR. Consistent with
paragraph (a) of this section, a license is required for the export,
reexport, or transfer (in-country) of any item subject to the EAR when
a Belarusian or Russian `military end user' that is listed on the
Entity List pursuant to this section is a party to the transaction as
described in Sec. 748.5(c) through (f) of the EAR.
* * * * *
(e) * * *
(3) Applications for items requiring a license for any reason that
are destined for a `military end use' in Belarus, Burma, Cambodia,
China, Nicaragua, the Russian Federation, or Venezuela or for a
Belarusian, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Nicaraguan, Russian, or
Venezuelan `military end user,' wherever located, also will be subject
to the review policy stated in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
* * * * *
0
7. Supplement no. 7 to part 744 is amended in the table by adding in
alphabetical order an entry for ``Nicaragua'' to read as follows:
Supplement No. 7 to Part 744--`Military End-User' (Meu) List
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Register
Country Entity citation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * *
NICARAGUA....................... [Reserved]........ [Reserved].
* * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thea D. Rozman Kendler,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-05696 Filed 3-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-33-P