On July 29, 2024, the US Department of State’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) issued a proposed rule (“Proposed Rule”) that would revise the definition of “defense service” and the scope of related controls in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”). The Proposed Rule was issued following a review by DDTC that identified certain military, cyber, and intelligence services furnished to foreign persons that are not currently controlled or are controlled but for…
The US Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) has issued amendments to the Export Administration Regulations, 15 C.F.R. Parts 730-774 (“EAR”) that, most significantly, define the scope of “standards-related activities” that are subject to US export controls jurisdiction under the EAR. The purpose of these amendments is to ensure that US export controls and associated compliance concerns do not impede the participation and leadership of US companies in legitimate standards-related activities. BIS also…
On June 18, 2024, Baker McKenzie, in partnership with the International Compliance Professionals Association, hosted a virtual fireside chat with Lawrence Scheinert, the Associate Director for Compliance and Enforcement at the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) in the US Treasury Department. The webinar attracted 1640 registrations from across industry, with participants raising a wide variety of questions. In the discussion with Baker McKenzie partners, led by Julia Webster (Toronto) with questions from Janet Kim…
On June 5, 2024, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”) amended the Syrian Sanctions Regulations (“SSR”), 31 C.F.R. Part 542 and issued and amended frequently asked questions (“FAQs”) related to the SSR. According to a new OFAC FAQ, these changes are aimed, in part, at facilitating humanitarian assistance and internet-based communication services to Syrian civilians. The SSR has been revised as follows: OFAC also issued one new SSR FAQ…