On October 4, the Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) published a notice (83 FR 50003) that made several immediate, but minor, changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and United States Munitions List (USML). The revisions are in response to a July 2017 request for comments implementing the President’s Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs” and other industry feedback.
Other than USML revisions and notes, the only ITAR change was the removal of the requirement to return expired or exhausted licenses for technical data under 123.22(b)(3)(i) and (c)(2).
The USML revisions are as follows:
- A note to USML Category IV(d) clarifies that it does not control satellite and spacecraft thrusters (instead, refer to XV(e)(12) and ECCN 9A515).
- A note to USML Category V clarifies that, except for materials in V(c)(6), (h) or (i), the Department of Commerce licenses materials when incorporated into an item classified under ECCN 1C608 (“Energetic materials and related commodities”).
- VIII(h)(12) – The description of UAV flight control systems is revised so that collision avoidance alone does not lead to ITAR controls:
(12) Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight control systems and vehicle management systems with swarming capability (i.e. UAVs that operate autonomously (without human input) to interact with each other to avoid collisions and stay together, fly in formations, and are capable of adapting in real-time to changes in operational/threat environment, or, if weaponized, coordinate targeting) (MT if for an aircraft, excluding manned aircraft, or missile that has a ‘‘range’’ equal to or greater than 300 km);
- Notes to XI(a)(3)(i) and (xii) add additional technical specifications and a reference to Commodity Jurisdiction determinations to avoid control of airborne radars used by commercial drones.
- Revisions to XI(c)(4) implement power thresholds to exclude components necessary for 5G wireless technology, including four required criteria and eight explanatory notes.
- XV(f) is revised to include “to a foreign person” in its definition of satellite and spacecraft defense services.
DDTC also noted that it is working on a possible temporary export exemption for repair/replacement by foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) as well as revised definitions proposed in 2015 (80 FR 31525) that were not included in the 2016 interim final rule (81 FR 35611) or final rule (81 FR 62004).
The Federal Register Notice includes additional background and responses to comments that may be of interest. While these changes are effective immediately, comments may be submitted until November 19, 2018.
In separate notices, DDTC has also requested comments on three existing information collections for Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval. Click on the Federal Register Notices for more information and docket and control numbers needed for comments:
- §123.9 Request to Change End-User, End-Use and/or Destination of Hardware (83 FR 47235). The notice acknowledges that DDTC is working on a DS-6004 form to be submitted through the Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS). Comments will be accepted up to November 19, 2018.
- Part 129 Annual Brokering Reports (83 FR 47390). Comments will be accepted up to November 19, 2018.
- DS-2032 Statement of Registration (83 FR 48496). Comments will be accepted up to November 26, 2018.
As always, these are important opportunities to comment on how your business views and is affected by export regulations.