Export Control In India: The ‘SCOMET' List

The trade of dual-use (civil and military) goods, services and technologies (SCOMET items) are closely scrutinized to ensure that they do not fall into the wrong hands. As a consequence of this, businesses who legitimately deal with such items are also required to pass this scrutiny. We provide an overview of the regulations governing the SCOMET items and highlight the key aspects that businesses involved in the trade of SCOMET items should know. 

Four Multilateral Export Control Regimes ("MECRs") ¹ came into force in the wake of India's nuclear tests in 1974 and Iraq's use of chemical weapons during the Iran-Iraq war in 1980-1988. MECRs sought to control the trade of dual-use (both civilian and military) goods, services and technology (collectively referred to as "items"). India is a member of three MECRs and maintains a list of items controlled for export: the Special Chemicals, Organism, Material, Equipment and Technologies ("SCOMET") list. This article