Dual-use export control: MEPs voted in favour of new rules

MEPs from the trade committee (INTA) of the European Parliament adopted the new rules on export control for dual-use items, including software and technology. The European Parliament and the Council had previously reached an agreement on the text at the beginning of November.

New rules were adopted with 39 votes in favour, two against and one abstention.

The Regulation sets up an EU regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items. An authorisation is required for the export of the dual-use items listed in the Annex I of the text. Among other things, Annex I contains Category 3 on electronics (page 160 of the document), Category 4 on computers (page 188), Category 5 on telecommunications and information security (page 192).

An authorisation may also be required for the export to all or certain destinations of certain dual-use items not listed in Annex I. This is the case of cyber-surveillance items used in violation of human rights. The text states that “an authorisation shall be required for the export of cyber-surveillance items not listed in Annex I if the exporter has been informed by the competent authority that the items in question are or may be intended, in their entirety or in part, for use in connection with internal repression and/or the commission of serious violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law.

Please find below the adopted text, including Annex I.

Adopted text

Next steps:

Adoption by the European Parliament during its plenary session and final adoption by the Council.

 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Camille Dornier - Policy Manager: camille.dornier@eurosmart.com

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