Scrutiny of Arms Export Controls (2009): UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Report 2007, Quarterly Reports for 2008, licensing policy and review of export control legislation - Committees on Arms Export Controls Contents


Memorandum from the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform

  You will recall that I wrote to you on 9 July 2008, to advise that the Government had laid the second tranche of export control legislation on that date. I am now writing to advise you that the amendments to The Trade in Goods (Control) Order 2003 and The Trade in Controlled Goods (Embargoed Destinations) Order 2004, have come into effect today, 1 October 2008, when The Trade in Goods (Categories of Controlled Goods) Order 2008 takes effect.

  This legislation fulfils commitments previously announced in the Government's initial response to the public consultation on the 2007 review of export controls. The legislation:

    — introduces a more nuanced, three tiered structure for trade controls consisting of Category "A", "B" and "C" goods, replacing the "controlled" and "restricted" categories.

    — applies fully extra-territorial controls on "United Kingdom persons" anywhere in the world trading in small arms and Man Portable Air Defence Systems (MANPADs), by placing them in Category B

    — introduces the strictest possible controls on cluster munitions, by placing them in Category A. This controls both extra-territorial trading by "United Kingdom persons" and trading within the UK, plus the full range of support activities—eg the sole provision of transportation services, financing or financial services, insurance or reinsurance services and general advertising or promotion services.

    — extends controls to the trading of non-military explosive goods to embargoed destinations.

  The Statutory Instrument and explanatory note can be viewed on the Office of Public Sector Information website (http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2008/pdf/uksi_20081805_en.pdf).

1 October 2008






 
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