Amendment to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Replacement Parts/Components and Incorporated Articles

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Proposed rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to update policies regarding replacement parts/components and incorporated articles.

DATES:

The Department of State will accept comments on this proposed rule until April 14, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Interested parties may submit comments within 30 days of the date of publication by any of the following methods:

• E-mail: DDTCResponseTeam@state.gov with an appropriate subject line.
• Mail: PM/DDTC, SA-1, 12th Floor, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Attn: Regulatory Changes—Replacement Parts/Components and Incorporated Articles, Bureau of Political Military Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Washington, DC 20522-0112.
• Persons with access to the Internet may also view this notice by searching for its RIN on the U.S. Government regulations Web site at http://regulations.gov/index.cfm.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nicholas Memos, Office of Defense Trade Controls Policy, Department of State, by telephone: (202) 663-2804; fax: (202) 261-8199; or e-mail: memosni@state.gov. Attn: Regulatory Changes—Replacement Parts/Components and Incorporated Articles.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As a part of the President's Export Control Reform effort, the Department of State proposes to amend Parts 123 and 126 of the ITAR to reflect new policies regarding coverage of replacement parts/components and incorporated articles.

The Department's review of current ITAR treatment of replacement parts/components led to the proposed change to streamline the flow of parts and components and to eliminate redundancy in licensing. The current rule regarding parts and components imposes burdensome requirements for additional licenses for licensed end-users and end-uses for systems and components already vetted in earlier licenses. The proposed rule adds a new section (§ 123.28) that facilitates the expeditious repair of U.S. supplied end-items abroad, enabling more timely response to coalition forces, as well as other allies and friends, by eliminating the requirement for a license for parts and components for systems approved in a previous license. This proposed exemption applies only to exporters specifically identified in a previously approved authorization to export the end-item in question. It would not apply to upgrades of capabilities of the original end-item. The type, amount, and frequency of parts and components could not exceed the type, amount, and frequency consistent with normal logistical repair/replacement operations. Nor can the value of the purchase order exceed an amount that would require Congressional notification. The exporter must have in its possession a copy of the purchase order from the foreign government end-user and cite in its Automated Export System (AES) filing the license number for the original export. The exporter must use the U.S. Postal Service, freight forwarders registered with the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) and eligible, or licensed customs brokers that are subject to background investigation and have passed a comprehensive examination administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Finally, this exemption does not apply to exporters who are otherwise ineligible.

The Department's review of current ITAR treatment of incorporated articles led to the proposed change with a view to limit ITAR coverage to where diversion of the embedded defense article is a realistic and practical concern. To this end, the proposed new § 126.19 sets out conditions under which a DDTC license is not required for the export or re-export of defense articles incorporated into an end-item that is “subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).” Those conditions include where the end-item would be “rendered inoperable” by the removal of the defense article, where no technical data for development or production are transferred with the defense article, and where the incorporation of the defense article does not provide (or is not related to) a military application. Additionally, no license is required for the export or re-export of a defense article when that article would be rendered inoperable by removal from the end-item. A license would be required for the export of defense articles that are spare or replacement parts when they are embedded into a larger assembly such that they can be removed without destroying the defense articles. The proposed new § 126.19 would not go into effect until the Department of Commerce amends its regulations such that the ITAR and CCL provide complimentary coverage of the articles in question.

The proposed rules were presented to the Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG), a Department of State advisory committee, for purposes of comment and evaluation. The DTAG commented favorably on most aspects of the proposed rules, but also recommended certain changes. Having thoroughly reviewed and evaluated the comments and the recommended changes, the Department has determined that it will proceed with the proposed rules per the Department's evaluation of the written comments and recommendations, as noted in the following paragraphs:

The DTAG commented favorably on the addition of a new § 123.28 (replacement parts/components), with some recommended edits. We note that in the interim we changed the title of the section by removing the word “special” before exemption, removing the word “spare” before “parts/components” and replacing it with the word “replacement,” to make clear that this exemption applies to the replacement of components for systems already authorized for export. The DTAG recommended elimination of the limitation that the exporter must be the manufacturer of the end-item. We concurred with the change and eliminated that condition.

The DTAG also recommended expanding the wording that defines who is qualified to use the exemption from “original exporter of the end-item” to “applicant of a previously approved authorization.” We concurred with that change with minor edits.

The DTAG further suggested modifying the limitation regarding upgrades in capabilities to ensure that it does not preclude “replacement parts or components that would result in enhancements or improvements only in the reliability or maintainability * * *” We concurred with that change in the form of a note.

The DTAG suggested adding a requirement that the exporter use the U.S. Postal Service, registered freight forwarders, and licensed brokers. We concurred with that change.

The DTAG recommended expanding the exemption to apply to a “second exporter” if they met the conditions of (a) and (b). We did not accept that change as the unclear terminology could potentially open up the exemption for unlimited sources. We are willing to explore the possibility of expansion of the exemption to include major subcontractor component suppliers, but the proposed “second exporter” language is too broad.

The DTAG recommended adding a condition that the foreign government end-user is not subject to restrictions under § 126.1. We concurred with that change.

The DTAG commented favorably on the addition of a new § 126.19 (incorporated articles), with some recommended edits. The DTAG recommended changing the proposed rule to cover defense articles embedded into “a higher level assembly that is not an end item. * * *” We did not accept that recommendation. The recommendation would remove the assurance contained in the proposed rule that the ultimate end-item would be an article subject to the EAR. It is our intent to avoid creating a means by which integrated defense articles could find their way into higher level militarily relevant assemblies.

The DTAG proposed alternate models that added defense article exports “solely for integration into and inclusion as an integral part of a higher level assembly * * *” We did not accept that change because it effectively would allow for the export of non-embedded defense articles without a license and would pose too great a risk of diversion. The proposed rule requires that defense articles be pre-embedded or pre-incorporated, which provides a measure of security.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

These proposed amendments involve a foreign affairs function of the United States and, therefore, are not subject to the procedures contained in 5 U.S.C. 553 and 554. The Department of State has nevertheless determined that the public interest would be served by publishing this proposed rule and soliciting public comment.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Since these proposed amendments are not subject to 5 U.S.C. 553, they do not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

These proposed amendments do not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

These proposed amendments have been found not to be a major rule within the meaning of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

These proposed amendments will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that these proposed amendments do not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to these amendments.

Executive Order 12866

These proposed amendments are exempt from review under Executive Order 12866, but has been reviewed internally by the Department of State to ensure consistency with the purposes thereof.

Executive Order 12988

The Department of State has reviewed the proposed amendments in light of sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13175

The Department of State has determined that this rule will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not pre-empt tribal law. Accordingly, the requirement of Section 5 of Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rule.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This proposed rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements subject to the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Parts 123 and 126

• Arms and munitions
• Exports

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, Title 22, Chapter I, Subchapter M, parts 123 and 126 are proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 123—LICENSES FOR THE EXPORT OF DEFENSE ARTICLES

1. The authority citation for part 123 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, and 71, Pub. L. 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2797); 22 U.S.C. 2753; E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp. p. 79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 2776; Pub. L. 105-261, 112 Stat. 1920; Sec 1205(a), Pub. L. 107-228. 2. Part 123 is amended by adding § 123.28 to read as follows:

PART 126—GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS

3. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:

Authority: Secs. 2, 38, 40, 42 and 71, Pub. L. 90-629, 90 Stat. 744 (22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791 and 2797); E.O. 11958, 42 FR 4311; 3 CFR, 1977 Comp., p.79; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; E.O. 12918, 59 FR 28205; 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p.899; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375.

4. Part 126 is amended by adding and reserving §§ 126.16-126.18 to read as follows: