Latest Posts
Search for:

BIS Announces New Policy Changes to Strengthen its Existing Administrative Enforcement Program

By , and 2 Mins Read

On June 30, 2022, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”) announced four key policy changes to strengthen the administrative enforcement program and tackle external threats. These policy changes prioritize the “most serious violations” and cases that pose the greatest danger to US security.

The four policy changes made to the BIS’s Administrative Enforcement Program include:

Imposition of Significantly Higher Penalties

The most serious administrative violations will trigger more stringent penalties to deter future bad actors and level the playing field. BIS is expected to update aggravating and mitigating factors in the existing settlement guidelines to address this policy change and ensure the guidelines are more uniformly applied.

Using Non-Monetary Resolutions for Less Serious Violations

Violators whose breaches do not pose “serious national security harm” but exceed a warning letter or no-action letter, will be offered non-monetary settlement agreement resolutions to rectify the violation in return for violators accepting responsibility, admitting to the conduct, and committing to enhanced compliance measures.

Elimination of “No Admit, No Deny” Settlements

Violators will no longer be able to settle allegations against them without having to admit to the underlying factual conduct. However, admission will grant the resolving party a reduced penalty. This policy change is another effort to promote transparency and accountability among all relevant parties.

Dual-Track Processing of Voluntary Self-Disclosures (“VSDs”)

VSDs involving minor or technical infractions will be resolved on a “fast-track” with a warning letter or no-action letter within 60 days of receipt of a final submission. Conversely, VSDs that indicate potentially more serious violations will be assigned to both a field agent and an Office of Chief Counsel attorney for an in-depth investigation. The Department of Justice’s Counterintelligence and Export Controls Section will assign an attorney as well in the most serious cases.

Categories:
Author

Mr. McMillan's practice involves compliance counseling; compliance programs; licensing; compliance reviews; internal investigations; voluntary disclosures; administrative enforcement actions; criminal investigations; customs inquiries, audits, detentions, and seizures; and trade-compliance due diligence and post-acquisition integration in mergers and acquisitions. His practice includes matters that implicate the US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), US Export Administration Regulations (EAR), US National Industrial Security Program (NISP), the US Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), and equivalent non-US laws. Mr. McMillan regularly advises on and represents clients in matters involving technology, including its control, protection, accidental disclosure, diversion, or unauthorized collection. Mr. McMillan has extensive experience working with companies in the aerospace and defense industry, as well as companies in the Middle East and other parts of Asia.

Author

Meg's practice involves assisting multinational companies with export compliance related matters, specifically trade sanctions and export control classifications. Additionally, she assists companies with respect to customs laws, anti-boycott laws and other trade regulation issues in the US and abroad. She also helps obtain authorizations from the US government for activities subject to sanctions regulations and US export control regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. Meg's practice extends to assistance in internal compliance reviews as well as enforcement actions and disclosures necessitated by US government action.

Author

Andrea practices international commercial law with a focus on cross-border transactions including post-acquisition integration IP migrations and technology licensing. She also advises companies on export controls, sanctions, customs and international corporate compliance. Andrea also has an active pro bono practice, including helping organizations with international constitutional matters and victims of domestic abuse.

Related Posts