Bureau of Industry and Security August 13, 2018 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Department of Commerce, maintains the Export Administration Regulations, including the Commerce Control List (CCL). Certain items identified on the CCL are controlled for chemical/biological (CB) reasons, because they are identified on one of the common control lists maintained by the Australia Group (AG), which is a multilateral forum of countries (plus the European Union) that maintain export controls on specified chemicals, biological agents, and related equipment and technology that could be used in a chemical or biological weapons (CBW) program. Among the items subject to these CB controls are spraying or fogging systems described in Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 2B352.i on the CCL. Through this notice, BIS is seeking public comments as part of a review of the effectiveness of its controls on these systems, and ``parts'' and ``components'' therefor, to ensure that the descriptions of these items on the CCL are clear, do not inadvertently control items in normal commercial use, accurately reflect CB-related technological capabilities and developments, and are consistent with the principal objective of the AG, which is to ensure that exports of certain chemicals, biological agents, and dual-use chemical and biological manufacturing facilities and equipment, do not contribute to the spread of chemical and biological weapons (CBW). This notice also requests public comments on potential alternatives to the current controls in ECCN 2B352.i.