What we’re talking about
Iran tech company CEO Jamshid Ghomi was arrested by federal agents for violations of U.S. sanctions. As alleged, Ghomi supplied the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran with U.S. origin networking, security, and encryption technology. Exports to Iran are prohibited because the nation is the world’s largest state sponsor of terrorism. As charged, Ghomi faces imprisonment
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s (BIS) funding is set to increase to $450 million in the 2027 budget proposal. This would represent a 150% percent increase from the agency’s fiscal year 2026 $215 million budget. The funds would be used to hire hundreds of Special Agent officers to enforce Export Administration Regulations. Reasons Driving
Applied Materials, Inc. (AMAT) and Applied Materials Korea, Ltd. (AMK) have agreed to payment of $252 million dollars in penalties for the illegal export of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing equipment. This settlement with the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), is the second largest imposed by the agency. Applied Materials Specific Violations The cited violations involved
End-use and end-user controls are essential components of the United States Export Administration Regulations (EAR). They help ensure that exported items are not used in ways that could harm national security or foreign policy interests. These controls are often used for dual use items. The term dual-use technology refers to items, software, and technology that
Strategic export compliance implementation is required to achieve a compliance program maturity that will adequately address evolving regulatory requirements. This entails employing a business strategy that includes involvement and accountability of senior management. It should also emphasize that everyone involved in exporting regulated articles or technologies is responsible for compliance. This includes employees, contractors, vendors, and clients.
The Wassenaar Arrangement was established to promote transparency and responsibility in international transfers of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and controlled technologies. This international effort to prevent global destabilization was established at Wittenburg Castle in Germany in 1995. The Wassenaar Arrangement Plenary meets once a year in Vienna. The Plenary is led by a rotating
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to limit semiconductor and advanced computing commodities to China and Macau. These changes have been made to ensure that United States national security interests are met and that and that proposed exports would not reduce global integrated circuit production
The Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), under the Department of State, has released the AUKUS Final Rule. This amendment, under part 126 of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) was published and became effective on December 30, 2025. This exemption will greatly facilitate defense trade between defense trade between the United States, the
The System for Award Management (SAM) has undergone significant changes under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO). This RFO initiative is an effort by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council, and the General Services Administration (GSA) to support sound procurement for government contracts. It is being initiated in an
The U.S. Department of Commerce has announced the launching of the American AI Exports Program. This initiative is part of a larger effort by President Donald Trump to advance the United State’s leadership in advanced technologies. The program will include hardware, software, applications, models, and full stack AI export. Full Stack AI refers to a
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and export compliance programs should be coordinated efforts driven by upper management to avoid export regulation violations. A Federal News Network article discussed the fact that CMMC assessments are uncovering unknown export regulation violations. The article points out the dangers of maintaining compliance programs in separate silos. Technology Control Plan
Export regulations effectiveness in the protection of U.S. national security and promotion of foreign policy objectives has become a growing concern given the pace of regulatory changes. Recently, the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Center for Strategic and International Studies have published reviews of their findings on the issue. U.S. Semiconductor Controls Center
The AUKUS nuclear submarine program is under a Pentagon review to access if the agreement will leave the U.S. Navy with sufficient submarine fleet assets to address its national security requirements. There have been concerns that the current agreement would leave the United States with a shortage of Virginia class boats due to challenges in
In an attempt to level the playing field, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) revokes Validated End-User (VEU) waivers that allowed foreign-owned semiconductor facilities in China to import U.S. technology without licenses. Companies such as Samsung and SK Hynix will now be required to obtain licenses for their operations. This move aims to level
Revisions to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the United States Munitions List (USML) have been released to streamline compliance and enhance national security while facilitating trade with United States allies. The Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) has released these changes to clarify the ITAR and remove defense articles
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has recently paused the processing of new export license applications, leading to significant delays. This pause, which affects applications submitted after February 5, 2025, has raised concerns about the impact on business. The pause is part of an internal review of licensing policies initiated by Undersecretary Jeffrey Kessler
