EU Commission publishes 2021 export controls report

The European Commission has published a Report to the EU Parliament on the implementation of export controls for dual-use items in 2021 (also including aggregated export control data for 2020).

It follows the adoption of the new Export Control Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2021/821) in May 2021.

The report covers:

• export control policy, including the EU-US Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and its Export Control Working Group (see previous post, post and post);
• amendments to dual-use controls introduced by Regulation (EU) 2021/821;
• Member State implementation and enforcement measures, including arrangements set forth in the Northern Ireland Protocol;
• activities of the Dual-Use Coordination Group (DUCG), which held 6 meetings in 2021;
• guidelines for Dual-Use Research (previous post); and
• key data on EU export controls.

Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “At a time of mounting security challenges, in particular Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, it is crucial to have our strategic trade and investment controls instruments up and running. In cooperation with our international partners, the EU deployed export controls to sanction Russia for its devastating war in Ukraine. The EU remains open to foreign investments, but this openness is not unconditional. It must be balanced. We must continue enhancing our capability to ensure this balance.”

The key findings on export controls were that:

• Total authorised exports of dual-use items amounted to about €31 billion in 2020.
• The new set of EU rules have strengthened export controls by introducing a novel ‘human security’ dimension, simplifying procedures and making the export control system more agile and transparent.
• Expert work is being developed under the Regulation on cyber-surveillance and emerging technologies, with a particular focus on enforcement and implementation of controls by Member States.
• The new rules also allow the EU to work more closely with partner countries to enhance global security and promote a level playing field.

Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade, Valdis Dombrovskis, said: “At a time of mounting security challenges, in particular Russia’s unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, it is crucial to have our strategic trade and investment controls instruments up and running. In cooperation with our international partners, the EU deployed export controls to sanction Russia for its devastating war in Ukraine. The EU remains open to foreign investments, but this openness is not unconditional. It must be balanced. We must continue enhancing our capability to ensure this balance.”

Export Controls