What we’re talking about
What is Continuous Improvement? Continuous Improvement and Organizational Development are valuable tools in a Quality Management System (QMS). For improvement to occur it is essential that each important process in an organization be identified and analyzed. Once identified and documented, these processes can be regularly reviewed to access effectiveness by applying improvement based on metrics.
Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce, released a memorandum July 26, 2023, announcing changes in antiboycott reporting and compliance requirements. This announcement follows a series of similar memorandums from the Department of Commerce that have increased the intensity of export enforcement actions. History of U.S. Antiboycott Regulations
Acidic Atmosphere MIL-STD-810 Method 518 is used to evaluate protective coatings and materials resistance to corrosive atmospheres. It is applicable for equipment that will be stored or operated in acidic atmospheres during its lifecycle. This would include urban and industrial area environmental conditions or equipment that will be mounted near exhausts. Considerations for Acidic Atmosphere
Voluntary Self-Disclosure policy updates were issued jointly by the Department of Commerce, Department of Treasury, and the Department of Justice. Under the moniker of Tri-Seal, the three agencies provided information about the self-disclosure process for violations of sanctions, export regulations, and other national security laws. These three agencies have been increasingly coordinating efforts to prevent
A Five Eyes export control agreement seeks to enhance the security concerns of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States by formally committing to coordinate export control enforcement efforts. Matthew S. Axelrod, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Export Enforcement, stated that this will result in detentions, public identification, and penalties for
Pyroshock MIL-STD-810 Method 517 is a test to evaluate equipment’s ability to withstand mechanical transients caused by the detonation of devices such as explosive bolts and Flexible Linear Shape Charges (FLSC). Characteristics of Pyroshock Events Pyroshocks can produce excitation in a broad range of frequencies. These typically range from 100 Hz to 1 MHz with
The Department of Defense (DoD) is addressing foreign influence in academia with the publication a foreign entities list that includes threats to U.S. national security. This was announced in an address from Heidi Shyu, Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E). By adding this requirement for screening of potential partners, the Pentagon
Shock MIL-STD-810 Method 516 is an environmental test that can be used to verify that equipment can withstand shocks encountered during transportation, service, and handling. It can also be used to assess fragility levels for determination of stowage, packaging, or mounting requirements and is used to test the strength of devices such as fasteners to
During a recent address at the Ethics and Compliance Initiative Impact Conference, Marshall Miller, the Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General at the Department of Justice (DOJ), stressed Export Compliance diligence in ensuring compliance with export regulations. He further stated that as the agency continues enforcement efforts connected to United States national security investigations that they
Recent enforcement activities by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) illustrate the importance of having a viable Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Export Compliance Program. These events including a 300-million-dollar penalty imposed on Seagate Technology earlier this year, are as Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement Matthew Axelrod described, “a clarion call” for businesses to comply
Vibration, MIL-STD-810 Method 514 evaluates equipment’s ability to withstand vibration exposures expected in a product’s life cycle. These laboratory tests simulate environmental stresses that may be experienced during manufacture / maintenance, transportation, or operational life phases. This testing can be used for for development, qualification, or reliability purposes. This method is not applicable for Environmental
BIS restrictions on technologies to the PRC are being put in place to limit China’s ability to enhance its military capabilities, according to Thea D. Roxman Kendler in testimony to the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Roxman is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce at the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in charge
The Open General License (OGL) Pilot Program has been implemented by the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) to ease licensing requirements for reexport and retransfer of unclassified defense articles to pre-approved parties in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The current program is in effect from August 2022 to July 31, 2026, pursuant to
Acceleration MIL-STD-810 Method 513 is a test method used to evaluate equipment’s ability to withstand steady state inertia loads and ensure that the test item does not create a hazard after being subjected to crash inertia loads. This testing is intended primarily for equipment that will be installed on aircraft, helicopters, aerospace vehicles, aircraft stores,
The #Stopransomware Guide update was released in May 2023 jointly by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the Multi-State Information Sharing & Analysis Center (MS-ISAC). Information in this guide was developed by the Joint Ransomware Task Force (JRTF) which is overseen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and CISA. to help organizations
Immersion MIL-STD-810 Method 512 is used to evaluate the ingress protection capabilities of products against water intrusion. This is normally used for military equipment where immersion in water is a probable event in that product’s life cycle, including logistical and tactical transport. Performance of this testing does not necessarily preclude a requirement for Blowing Rain
