EU Updates Dual-Use Export Controls to Align With Multilateral Regimes

The European Union updated its dual-use export control list this week to align the bloc’s restrictions with decisions taken by “international non-proliferation regimes and export control arrangements” through December 2021. Among the changes are new controls on certain electronics, semiconductors and computers, including “Electronic Computer-Aided Design (ECAD) used in the design process of Gate-All-Around Field-Effect Transistor (GAAFET).” The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security similarly imposed new controls last year on certain ECAD software after the restrictions were agreed to at the 2021 Wassenaar Arrangement (see 2208120038).

The EU’s update this week also includes controls on “certain frequency synthesizers and signal generators, gallium oxide and diamond as new semiconductor materials, as well as their related technology.” Another new control affects “software specially designed for nucleic acid assemblers and synthesizers; BIS imposed similar controls in 2021 to align the U.S. with control decisions agreed to at the multilateral Australia Group (see 2110040009).