Brussels, 23/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 21 February, the EU Council adopted its position at first reading on a draft regulation updating the EU's list of dual-use goods and technologies - goods and technologies that can be used for both civilian and military purposes - exports and transit of which are subject to strict control. The Council aims to align its list on international rules.
Adoption comes further to a political agreement in the Council on 5 December 2011. The first reading position will be forwarded to the European Parliament for second reading. The new regulation aims to bring Regulation 428/2009/EC, which governs exports, transfers, brokering and transit of dual use items, into line with the latest developments of international regimes relevant to the control of exports of dual use goods and technologies. Multilateral control regimes include the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG - control of exports of nuclear goods and technology), the Australia Group (AG - control of exports of products that can contribute to the development of chemical and biological weapons), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR - control of exports of weapons of mass destruction), and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA - for conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies).
The list of dual-use goods and technologies must be regularly updated to limit the risk of sensitive dual-use items being used for military purposes or in proliferation programmes, while ensuring that legitimate trade is not hampered. (EH/transl.jl)