[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 174 (Friday, September 7, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55183-55185]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-21571]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Industry and Security
[Docket No. 120816348-2348-01]
Effects of Foreign Policy-Based Export Controls
AGENCY: Bureau of Industry and Security, Commerce.
ACTION: Request for comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In developing its report to Congress, BIS is seeking public
comments on the effect of existing foreign policy-based export controls
in the Export Administration Regulations. BIS is requesting public
comments to conduct consultations with U.S. industries. Section 6 of
the Export Administration Act (EAA) requires BIS to consult with
industry on the effect of such controls and to report the results of
the consultations to Congress. Comments from all interested persons are
welcome. All comments will be made available for public inspection
[[Page 55184]]
and copying and included in a report to be submitted to Congress.
DATES: Comments must be received by October 9, 2012.
ADDRESSES: Comments on this rule may be submitted to the Federal
e[dash]Rulemaking portal (www.regulations.gov). The regulations.gov ID
for this rule is: BIS-2012-0038. Comments may also be sent by email to
publiccomments@bis.doc.gov or on paper to Regulatory Policy Division,
Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce, 14th Street &
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Room 2099B, Washington, DC 20230. Include the
phrase ``FPBEC Comment'' in the subject line of the email message or on
the envelope if submitting comments on paper. All comments must be in
writing (either submitted to regulations.gov, by email or on paper).
All comments, including Personal Identifying Information (e.g., name,
address) voluntarily submitted by the commenter will be a matter of
public record and will be available for public inspection and copying.
Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive
or protected information.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Foreign Policy Division, Office of
Nonproliferation Controls and Treaty Compliance, Bureau of Industry and
Security, telephone 202-482-4252. Copies of the current Annual Foreign
Policy Report to the Congress are available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2012/2012_fpreport.pdf and copies may also be requested by
calling the Office of Nonproliferation and Treaty Compliance at the
number listed above.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Foreign policy-based controls in the Export Administration
Regulations (EAR) are implemented pursuant to section 6 of the Export
Administration Act of 1979, as amended, (50 U.S.C. app. sections 2401-
2420 (2000)) (EAA). The current foreign policy-based export controls
maintained by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) are set forth
in the EAR (15 CFR parts 730-774), including in parts 742 (CCL Based
Controls), 744 (End-User and End-Use Based Controls) and 746 (Embargoes
and Other Special Controls). These controls apply to a range of
countries, items, activities and persons, including:
Entities acting contrary to the national security or
foreign policy interests of the United States (Sec. 744.11);
Certain general purpose microprocessors for ``military
end-uses'' and ``military end-users'' (Sec. 744.17);
Significant items (SI);
Hot section technology for the development, production, or
overhaul of commercial aircraft engines, components, and systems (Sec.
742.14);
Encryption items (Sec. 742.15);
Crime control and detection items (Sec. 742.7);
Specially designed implements of torture (Sec. 742.11);
Certain firearms and related items based on the
Organization of American States Model Regulations for the Control of
the International Movement of Firearms, their Parts and Components and
Munitions included within the Inter-American Convention Against the
Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition,
Explosives, and Other Related Materials (Sec. 742.17);
Regional stability items (Sec. 742.6);
Equipment and related technical data used in the design,
development, production, or use of certain rocket systems and unmanned
air vehicles (Sec. Sec. 742.5 and 744.3);
Chemical precursors and biological agents, associated
equipment, technical data, and software related to the production of
chemical and biological agents (Sec. Sec. 742.2 and 744.4) and various
chemicals included on the list of those chemicals controlled pursuant
to the Chemical Weapons Convention (Sec. 742.18);
Communication intercepting devices, software and
technology (Sec. 742.13);
Nuclear propulsion (Sec. 744.5);
Aircraft and vessels (Sec. 744.7);
Restrictions on exports and reexports to certain persons
designated as proliferators of weapons of mass destruction (Sec.
744.8);
Certain cameras to be used by military end-users or
incorporated into a military commodity (Sec. 744.9);
Countries designated as Supporters of Acts of
International Terrorism (Sec. Sec. 742.8, 742.9, 742.10, 742.19,
746.2, 746.4, 746.7, and 746.9);
Certain entities in Russia (Sec. 744.10);
Individual terrorists and terrorist organizations
(Sec. Sec. 744.12, 744.13 and 744.14);
Certain persons designated by Executive Order 13315
(``Blocking Property of the Former Iraqi Regime, Its Senior Officials
and Their Family Members'') (Sec. 744.18);
Certain sanctioned entities (Sec. 744.20); and
Embargoed countries (Part 746).
In addition, the EAR impose foreign policy-based export controls on
certain nuclear-related commodities, technology, end-uses and end-users
(Sec. Sec. 742.3 and 744.2), in part, implementing section 309(c) of
the Nuclear Non Proliferation Act (42 U.S.C. 2139a).
Request for Comments
Under the provisions of section 6 of the EAA, export controls
maintained for foreign policy purposes require annual extension.
Section 6 of the EAA requires a report to Congress when foreign policy-
based export controls are extended. The EAA expired on August 20, 2001.
Executive Order 13222 of August 17, 2001 (3 CFR, 2001 Comp., p. 783
(2002)), which has been extended by successive Presidential Notices,
the most recent being that of August 15, 2012 (77 FR 49699 (Aug. 16,
2012)), continues the EAR and, to the extent permitted by law, the
provisions of the EAA, in effect under the International Emergency
Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706 (2000)). The Department of
Commerce, as appropriate, follows the provisions of section 6 of the
EAA by reviewing its foreign policy-based export controls, conducting
consultations with industry through public comments on such controls,
and preparing a report to be submitted to Congress. In January 2012,
the Secretary of Commerce, on the recommendation of the Secretary of
State, extended for one year all foreign policy-based export controls
then in effect. BIS is now soliciting public comment on the effects of
extending the existing foreign policy-based export controls from
January 2013 to January 2014. Among the criteria considered in
determining whether to extend U.S. foreign policy-based export controls
are the following:
1. The likelihood that such controls will achieve their intended
foreign policy purposes, in light of other factors, including the
availability from other countries of the goods, software or technology
proposed for such controls;
2. Whether the foreign policy objective of such controls can be
achieved through negotiations or other alternative means;
3. The compatibility of the controls with the foreign policy
objectives of the United States and with overall U.S. policy toward the
country subject to the controls;
4. Whether the reaction of other countries to the extension of such
controls is not likely to render the controls ineffective in achieving
the intended foreign policy objective or be counterproductive to U.S.
foreign policy interests;
5. The comparative benefits to U.S. foreign policy objectives
versus the effect of the controls on the export performance of the
United States, the competitive position of the United
[[Page 55185]]
States in the international economy, the international reputation of
the United States as a supplier of goods and technology; and
6. The ability of the United States to effectively enforce the
controls.
BIS is particularly interested in receiving comments on the
economic impact of proliferation controls. BIS is also interested in
industry information relating to the following:
1. Information on the effect of foreign policy-based export
controls on sales of U.S. products to third countries (i.e., those
countries not targeted by sanctions), including the views of foreign
purchasers or prospective customers regarding U.S. foreign policy-based
export controls.
2. Information on controls maintained by U.S. trade partners. For
example, to what extent do U.S. trade partners have similar controls on
goods and technology on a worldwide basis or to specific destinations?
3. Information on licensing policies or practices by our foreign
trade partners that are similar to U.S. foreign policy based export
controls, including license review criteria, use of conditions, and
requirements for pre- and post-shipment verifications (preferably
supported by examples of approvals, denials and foreign regulations).
4. Suggestions for bringing foreign policy-based export controls
more into line with multilateral practice.
5. Comments or suggestions to make multilateral controls more
effective.
6. Information that illustrates the effect of foreign policy-based
export controls on trade or acquisitions by intended targets of the
controls.
7. Data or other information on the effect of foreign policy-based
export controls on overall trade at the level of individual industrial
sectors.
8. Suggestions for measuring the effect of foreign policy-based
export controls on trade.
9. Information on the use of foreign policy-based export controls
on targeted countries, entities, or individuals. BIS is also interested
in comments relating generally to the extension or revision of existing
foreign policy-based export controls.
Parties submitting comments are asked to be as specific as
possible. All comments received before the close of the comment period
will be considered by BIS in reviewing the controls and in developing
the report to Congress. All comments received in response to this
notice will be displayed on BIS's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Web
site at http://www.bis.doc.gov/foia and on the Federal e-Rulemaking
portal at www.Regulations.gov. All comments will also be included in a
report to Congress, as required by section 6 of the EAA, which directs
that BIS report to Congress the results of its consultations with
industry on the effects of foreign policy-based controls.
Dated: August 27, 2012.
Kevin J. Wolf,
Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-21571 Filed 9-6-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-33-P