BIS Proposes 'Clean-Up' of Commerce Control List

The Bureau of Industry and Security proposed its long-expected “clean-up” of the Commerce Control List (CCL), in a rule scheduled for publication in the Nov. 29 Federal Register. The proposed rule follows a December 2010 request for comments on how to make descriptions of items controlled on the CCL clearer. ECCNs in all categories of the CCL, as well as its basic structure, would be affected by the proposal. Most of the changes would be non-substantive and would provide additional guidance to people classifying items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), BIS said. Comments on the proposed rule are due by Jan. 28.

The proposed rule includes the following types of changes: (1) clarifications to existing CCL controls, including the use of the terms “parts” and “components” on the CCL; (2) changes to conform the CCL to the multilateral export control regime control lists and previous amendments to the EAR; (3) structural changes to improve the clarity of the CCL; and removal of fourteen ECCNs subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

See a future edition of International Trade Today for details on the proposed rule.