Brussels, 28/10/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 October, the European Commission announced that it had finished updating the EU list of dual use items, which now takes account of new categories of objects - in particular, spyware and telecommunications and internet surveillance equipment.
The dual use items are goods, software and technology that are normally used for civilian purposes but which might have military applications or contribute to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The EU controls the export, transit and brokering of dual use items as a way of contributing to international peace and security and preventing the proliferation of WMD. These export controls also allow the EU and its member states to comply with international security obligations such as the non-proliferation of WMD and the chemical weapons convention. In addition, they play a key role in protecting the legitimate international trade from illicit trafficking of sensitive goods and technologies.
The updated list of dual use items takes into consideration the latest commercial and technological developments and reflects growing security concerns regarding the use of surveillance technology and cybertools that could be misused in violation of human rights or against the EU's security, the Commission states.
The new regulations introduces around 400 changes to the list (Annex 1) of dual use items subject to EU controls, which accompanies Regulation 428/2009/EC. The changes include: - changes to technical parameters for nuclear reactor parts and components, such as frequency changers; - new controls on certain chemicals, such as plant pathogens; - new controls on special materials, electronics and computers, telecommunications and information security equipment, sensors and lasers, aerospace and propulsion, for example underwater survey equipment, carbon monoxide lasers and hydro-acoustic sensors. By contrast, the new regulation removes from the list certain items and technologies which have become more widely available and represent a lower security risk.
The new regulation has been sent to the European Parliament and Council, and will enter into force only if there are no objections from the European Parliament or the Council within two months. (EH)