EU upgrades legislation on export controls for dual-use goods and technologies

Article summary

The Council of the European Union has adopted a regulation modernising the EU system for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items (ie goods, software and technology that can be used for both civilian and military applications). The Council explained that the new regulation strengthens controls on a wider range of emerging dual-use technologies. Companies are expected to play an important role in addressing the risks to international security sometimes posed by dual-use items because of the due diligence obligations placed on producers via the regulation. The regulation is also expected to bolster coordination between Member States and the EU in regard to enhancing international security by merging approaches to export controls at a global level. President of the Council, João Leão, said: ‘We welcome the new EU rules on exports of dual-use items that give human rights the prominence they deserve. Strong controls will allow us to prevent...