On Wednesday 16 April, the European Commission published its recommendation to Member States on export controls, as promised in January 2024 (see EUROPE 13335/1). While this activity is in the hands of the Member States, the Commission suggests that they coordinate more closely the drawing up of their list of products to be controlled. The aim is to avoid major differences between EU countries in the type of goods controlled.
In detail, the annex to the document provides a list of actions to be implemented by Member States, each on a voluntary basis.
For example, countries considering the adoption of a list should inform the other Member States and the Commission of the risks identified and the controls they envisage. This includes the precise scope of control, but also the impact on economic operators.
This should enable countries intending to control the same products to coordinate the details, again on a voluntary basis.
In its recommendation, the Commission also provides for the possibility for itself and the Member States to comment on lists about to be adopted by other Member States. It therefore calls on the EU27 to take into account the comments received, while reiterating that they are free to act in accordance with their national legislation.
To see the recommendation: https://aeur.eu/f/gfu (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)