The U.K.'s Export Control Joint Unit informed traders that the EU recently expanded its lists of export-controlled goods that can be used for "capital punishment, torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." The move expands the "scope of controlled items in Annexes II and III" of the EU regulation, the U.K. said. The change took effect Aug. 20 and "applies directly to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework," the agency said, which is a post-Brexit agreement that kept Northern Ireland in the EU single market for goods. "The implications for Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) are under consideration and a further update will be published in due course."
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network warned this week about the risks posed to the American financial system by Chinese money laundering networks, urging banks to be “vigilant” in looking out for sanctioned Mexican drug cartels and other designated terrorist groups that may be using those networks.
The U.K. on Aug. 28 amended the chemical weapons-related sanctions listing for Andrei Marchenko, a member of the Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence Troops of the Russian Ministry of Defense. The updated entry now includes his middle name, Viktorovich.
France, Germany and the U.K. have begun the process to reimpose U.N. sanctions against Iran after accusing the country of failing to meet safeguards around its nuclear program (see 2508150010). The snapback sanctions, if implemented, would reimpose a host of U.N. restrictions that had been paused under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
House lawmakers have proposed dozens of export control-, sanctions- and foreign investment-related amendments to their chamber’s version of the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including measures aimed at China, Russia and Turkey.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is removing Samsung China Semiconductor Co., SK hynix Semiconductor (China) and a third SK hynix-owned semiconductor facility in Dalian from the agency’s Validated End-User List, which will make them ineligible for a general authorization that had allowed them to receive certain U.S.-controlled technology. BIS called the VEU program a “loophole” because it allows certain foreign firms to export chip manufacturing equipment and technology to China without a specific license. The final rule takes effect Dec. 31.
The Bureau of Industry and Security will ease export controls on Syria Sept. 2 by creating a new license exception for the country, making it eligible for a broader set of existing exceptions and revising current BIS license review policies for Syria to “be more favorable.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending its public comment periods for two export-related information collections, the agency said this week.
The Bureau of Industry and Security on Aug. 26 suspended the export privileges of 19 people after they were convicted of export-related offenses, including illegal shipments involving guns, gun parts, ammunition, microdisplays and vehicles. The suspensions took effect from the date of their convictions.
Rep. Maria Salazar, R-Fla., who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, urged the Trump administration Aug. 21 to investigate allegations that a “number” of new companies in South Florida are trying to evade U.S. sanctions on Cuba.