BIS Tech Issuances Still Coming, Officials Tell Advisory Panel's Delayed First Meeting

The Commerce Department Bureau of Industry and Security is preparing to issue additional export controls over emerging technologies and is finalizing a long-awaited advance NPRM for foundational technologies, BIS officials said. The upcoming rules will include controls agreed to at the Australia Group, a multilateral export control body, said Matt Borman, Commerce deputy assistant secretary-export administration. Speaking during the first meeting of the Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee Tuesday, he said BIS is preparing controls on six emerging technologies agreed to during the 2019 Wassenaar Arrangement. The ANPRM, part of a broader effort that has proved “intellectually challenging” for Commerce officials, is in the “last stages of review within the bureau,” said Rich Ashooh, Commerce-assistant secretary for export administration. Commerce officials expected to release a series of emerging technology controls last year but had delays (see 2004010034). The agency’s first ETTAC meeting was delayed twice as security clearances for members took longer than expected (see 2002250041).