Canada: new export controls on quantum computing and advanced semiconductors

New Canadian export controls on quantum computing and advanced semiconductors, seen as a step in line with a recent global shift towards tightening controls on such emerging technologies, will become effective on 20 July.

The Canadian government said it had made regulatory amendments to the Export Control List (‘ECL’), adding the following five new controls with respect to quantum computing and advanced semiconductors:

1. Quantum computers with the capability to confine, control, measure and process the quantum information embodied in 34 or more physical qubits with a small margin of error. It includes circuits and devices specially designed for quantum computers, such as certain components and devices made to control and measure these quantum computers.
2. Cryogenic Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (‘CryoCMOS’) integrated circuits that operate at a temperature of 4.5 Kelvin or below.
3. Technology used for the development or production of semiconductor devices or microchips using GAAFET structures (i.e.,nanosheet, nanowire, and gate-all-around transistor technology)
4. Equipment designed or modified for isotropic and anisotropic dry etching, which are critical in the making of GAAFET structures.
5. Advanced Scanning Electron Microscope (‘SEM’) equipment for imaging semiconductor or integrated circuits, or to perform chip design recovery meeting a specific set of metrics.

‘As of July 20, 2024, a permit will be required to export these items from Canada, except to the United States,’ the government’s 19 June notice advised.

https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/controls-controles/notices-avis/1129.aspx?lang=eng