The Council has adopted a new decision on arms-related export controls, emphasizing the importance of responsible arms trade policies, cooperation and convergence among Member States, and the prevention of diversion to unauthorized users. On 14 April, the Council concluded its review of the EU framework for arms export control by adopting a decision (15 April 2025)[1] amending the Council’s Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, defining common rules governing the control of exports of military technology and equipment,…
On 19 March 2025, the European Commission (“EC”), in collaboration with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, published the Joint White Paper on the Future of European Defence (the “White Paper”), available here. As outlined in the White Paper, the EU is embarking on an ambitious journey: bolstering its defence capabilities through the “REARM Europe” initiative (as announced by the President of the European Commission here. The REARM Europe initiative is…
On September 5, 2024, the European Commission published a Delegated Regulation, updating the list of dual-use items contained in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2021/821 (the “EU Dual Use List”) The EU Dual Use List is updated annually, to ensure it remains aligned with multilateral export control regimes, including the Wassenaar Arrangement, the Missile Technology Control Regime, the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Australia Group. The Delegated Regulation will only take effect the day after…
Introduction During September 2023, the US, UK, and EU, and Japan, updated their Common High Priority Items Lists (“the List(s)”), with seven new Harmonized System (“HS”) codes. These coordinated Lists are composed of items identified as critical to Russia’s war effort, weapons systems and military development. The Lists highlight to businesses that there is a particularly high risk these sanctioned items may be the target of sanctions circumvention and possible diversion to Russia. Companies can…