On Monday 18 January, the EU Council adopted a decision establishing a set of common features to be respected by end-user certificates for the export of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition.
This decision will come into force on 31 December 2021.
It follows the Conclusions of 16 September 2019 on the review of Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment (see EUROPE 12328/24), in which the EU Council undertook to consider a decision on end-user certificates for exports of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition.
According to the common position, export authorisations are granted only on the basis of reliable prior information on the end-use in the country of final destination. For this purpose, an end-user certificate or appropriate documents subject to thorough verification and/or an official authorisation form issued by the country of final destination are generally required.
The objective of this new decision is, according to the EU Council, to reduce the risk of diversion of arms to illicit or unintended users, to create a level playing field and to increase clarity for the defence industry and its clients regarding relevant requirements.
The Decision specifies in particular the essential elements concerning identification to be included in end-user certificates and the essential commitments to be made by the end-user.
See the decision: http://bit.ly/39M1Aj2 (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)