Breaking News: EU suspends certain export licenses to Egypt (updated with additional links)

By eric9to5 on August 23, 2013 • ( Leave a comment )

Today, the UK's Department for Business, Innovation and Skills released Notice to Exporters 2013/23:

Notice to Exporters 2013/23: EU suspend all export licensing to Egypt of any equipment which might be used for internal repression
23 August 2013

1. On 21 August 2013, in response to the increasing levels of violence in Egypt, the Member States of the European Union agreed to suspend all export licensing to Egypt for equipment which might be used for internal repression.

2. The Council also agreed to reassess export licences of equipment covered by Common Position 2008/944/CFSP – which defines common rules governing control of export of military technology and equipment.

3. This follows action already taken by the Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills on 19 July 2013 to revoke five standard individual export licences for Egypt where there was a clear risk that the goods might be used for internal repression, or provoke or prolong conflict.

Impact on extant licences and issuing of new export licences to Egypt

4. We are currently reviewing extant licences to determine which ones we consider to be for equipment which might be used for internal repression and therefore subject to suspension. We will notify you directly in the event that your licence is to be suspended.

5. The Export Control Organisation will review whether it is necessary to revoke, suspend or amend any additional extant licences where the proposed transfer is no longer consistent with the Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria (‘Consolidated Criteria‘).

6. You should be aware that any other export licence applications for Egypt will be subject to greater levels of scrutiny and longer processing times.

7. We are committed to keeping exporters informed on changes in export controls. We also recommend that you keep yourself well informed of developments through the media and other information channels.

And here is the contact info for the UK's Export Control Organization, should you have questions:

Export Control Organisation

Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

1 Victoria Street

London

SW1H 0ET

Tel: 020 7215 4594

E-mail: eco.help@bis.gsi.gov.uk

Fax: 020 7215 2635