Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations To Enhance U.S. Homeland Security: Addition of Three Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) and License Review Policy

This rule amends the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by revising controls to advance U.S. homeland security and foreign policy interests. The revisions include language that should facilitate public understanding of how concealed object detection equipment is treated for purposes of U.S. Government export controls, in particular by detailing the technical parameters of concealed object detection equipment that is subject to the Export Administration Regulations. These amendments reflect issues identified by an interagency working group that is reviewing export control issues related to homeland security. The interagency working group is made up of representatives from the Departments of Commerce, Defense, Homeland Security and State. The purpose of the interagency working group is to ensure that appropriate export controls are in place to protect U.S. export control interests for homeland security related items, while at the same time facilitating the development, production and use of items that will enhance U.S. homeland security and the homeland security of key U.S. allies. To help accomplish these objectives, this rule adds three new entries to the Commerce Control List (CCL) to control certain concealed object detection equipment operating in the frequency range from 30 GHz to 3000 GHz and related software and technology. In addition, to facilitate the export and reexport of these items to certain trusted destinations and end-users, this rule adds new license review criteria to the EAR to create a presumption of approval for certain cooperating countries provided the items are being made to a government end-user or to a person designated by the government end-user pursuant to contract.