Commission publishes new Guidelines for annual report on dual-use export controls

This follows yesterday’s Commission White Paper on export controls, which highlights the need to fully implement the EU’s dual-use regulation.

On 17 January 2024, the Commission published these new Guidelines in view of the preparation of its annual report on dual-use export controls. The goal is to increase transparency through more information sharing on Member States’ licensing decisions in the area of export controls.

The Guidelines were agreed with Member State experts, and set out in detail the process for the collection of licensing data by the European Commission and the competent authorities of the Member States. They will allow the EU Annual Export Control Report to include detailed licensing information, such as authorisations for dual-use exports, as well as denied transactions.

Enhanced public reporting and greater transparency on EU export controls are key elements of the implementation of the 2021 Regulation on dual-use export controls.

Such Guidelines will provide exporters, civil society organisations and the public at large with a more complete set of information on the control of dual-use exports, and a comprehensive picture of the implementation of export controls in the EU. This new approach will be taken up in the next annual report later this year.

They will also facilitate dialogues and exchanges with partners in third countries and promote good reporting practices internationally. This will help supporting an informed debate regarding the development of EU export control policy.

For more information:

Guidelines

White Paper on export controls