The US Commerce Department seeks input on a revised export control list. In short, the CCL describes items using objective criteria such as qualities to be measured (e.g., accuracy, speed and wavelength), units of measure (e.g., hertz, horsepower and microns) or other precise descriptions rather than broad, open-ended, subjective, catch-all or design intent-based criteria. However, not all export control classification numbers contain positive descriptions, and some descriptions could be clearer and more specific. The Obama administration wants to change this so that persons who understand the technical parameters, characteristics and capabilities of an item, even if they are not knowledgeable about US export controls, will ordinarily be able to determine its export control classification and jurisdictional status without needing to consult the government for an interpretation.
Public comment is open until Feb. 7. Click here for more info.
In my previous job, working for the Japanese company Toshiba in the UK, we were told that becasue of the US export control list we weren’t allowed to purchase anything, nor sell anything to a particular cornish farmer less than 20 miles away. I never found out who the farmer was, nor what he’d done to earn the wrath of the US Commerce Department becasue we weren’t allowed to see the list of undesireables. We could only find out if we found a particular supplier and asked a manager if we could deal with them!
Personally I find it ludicrous that as a UK citizen I’m unable to use the credit card issued by UK banks on holiday in Cuba as the UK bank’s credit card unit has interests in the US.