June - 2020

Uyghur Human Rights bill signed into U.S. law

On 17th June 2020, the U.S. President signed S. 3744, the “Uyghur Human Rights Policy Act of 2020,” into law. The bill authorizes property- and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations of ethnic Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang. Follow these links to read the White House announcement and S.3744.

U.S. authorizes economic sanctions and visa restrictions against ICC officials

On 11th June 2020, U.S. President Trump issued an Executive Order (E.O.) against the International Criminal Court (ICC). Citing that the ICC threatens “to infringe upon the sovereignty of the United States,” the E.O. authorizes economic sanctions and visa restrictions against ICC officials, affiliates and family members, if the ICC makes any attempts to “investigate, arrest, detain, or prosecute any United States personnel without the consent of the United States.” Follow thi

New rule from BIS authorizes U.S. companies to more fully engage in international standards organiza

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has announced an amendment to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) that will permit U.S. companies to more fully contribute to developing international standards in telecommunications. Previously limited by the participation of Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (Huawei), a sanctioned entity, in international standards organizations, U.S. companies can now release “certain technology to Huawei and its a

BIS amends EAR and the CCL

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to implement decisions made at the Australia Group (AG) Intersessional Implementation Meeting (February 2020) and the AG's silence procedure. This ruling amends three Export Control Classification Numbers (ECCNs) on the Commerce Control List (CCL): ECCN 1C350: Twenty-four precursor chemicals, as well as mixtures comprised of at least 30% or more of a

OFAC issues Iran-related FAQs

On 5th June 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it is issuing new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) related to Executive Order 13902, "Imposing Sanctions With Respect to Additional Sectors of Iran." The new FAQs can be found here.

BIS amends EAR by updating the Entity List

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by adding over 30 entities to the Entity List. These entities are considered to be “acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States.” The rulings also revise and modify a number of entities on the Entity List. The rulings are effective 5th June 2020 and details can be found in the Federal Register (85 FR 34503 an

OFAC publishes Syria-related sanctions regulations

On 4th June 2020, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced that it will issue Syria-related sanctions regulations to implement Executive Order 13894 of 14th October 2019 entitled, “Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria.” These regulations are effective 5th June 2020 and are published in the Federal Register.

Panama Maritime Authority warns of consequences for deactivating AIS or LRIT

The Panama Maritime Authority has issued a Merchant Marine Notice warning all vessels of Panamanian registry that there will be consequences for deliberately deactivating the Long Range Identification and Tracking Equipment (LRIT) or the Automatic Identification System (AIS). Users can expect a fine up to $10,000 USD and/or the de-registration/de-flagging of the vessel from Panama’s Merchant Marine Fleet.