The Bureau of Industry and Security published its official temporary denial order for Russia’s Rossiya Airlines (see 2205200008), detailing various export violations by the airline operator. BIS said it has “heightened concerns of future violations” by Rossiya, including the “refueling, maintenance, repair or the provision of spare parts or services” for its planes.
The Bureau of Industry and Security on May 20 completed an interagency review of a final rule related to its new export controls over certain cybersecurity items (see 2110200036 and 2201110025). BIS said earlier this year it was planning to make minor revisions to the rule to address some public comments (see 2202100026). The agency sent the rule for interagency review March 8 (see 2203090013).
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission this week suspended its general license for exports of certain radioactive material to Russia, The change, which took effect May 17, bars exporters from using the NRC general license for exports of the material or “deuterium for nuclear end-use” in Russia, the agency said. Exporters must now apply for a specific license for those shipments.
The Bureau of Industry and Security completed an interagency review of a proposed rule that could place new export controls on certain “marine toxins.” The rule, sent for review March 21 (see 2203220005) and completed May 16, proposes changes to the Commerce Control List to reflect revisions recently made at the multilateral Australia Group.
The Bureau of Industry and Security recently sent a final rule for interagency review that would make corrections and clarifications to the agency’s Russia and Belarus export controls. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs received the rule May 13.
The Bureau of Industry and Security needs to “answer to Congress immediately” if U.S. software company Synopsys was able to illegally export semiconductor design software to blacklisted Chinese companies, Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, said. McCaul -- referencing a report this week that said BIS is investigating Synopsys for potentially transferring technology to China’s HiSilicon and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (see 2204140057) -- said the agency needs to do a better job of preventing illegal exports on the front end.
The Commerce Department is investigating U.S. software company Synopsys for possibly violating U.S. export controls against China, Bloomberg reported April 13. Commerce is looking into whether Synopsys, the world’s leading supplier of semiconductor design software, worked with Chinese affiliates to provide chip designs and software to Huawei Technologies’ HiSilicon unit for manufacture at Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, the report said. Both companies are subject to Entity List licensing restrictions.
Although the Bureau of Industry and Security hasn’t yet announced any enforcement actions against lessors or financers of restricted Russian aircraft, those parties still face significant compliance risks, Katten said in an April 8 alert.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week added Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to the list of countries that have imposed similar export controls against Russia and are excluded from certain license requirements under two recently issued foreign direct product rules (see 2202240069). The additions take effect April 12. BIS previously added South Korea to the list (see 2203040075), which has more than 30 countries.
Australia will soon ban exports of luxury goods to Russia, following similar export restrictions by the U.S. and EU (see 2203110056 and 2203150027). The ban, which takes effect April 7, will apply to a range of goods, including wine, high-value cosmetics and parts for luxury vehicles, Australia's foreign affairs ministry said April 5. “The Australian government is deeply committed to imposing the highest costs on Russia for President [Vladimir] Putin’s illegal and unprovoked war,” the ministry said. Similar export restrictions imposed by Japan took effect April 5 (see 2203250030).