BIS, DDTC Issue New Rules For Space-Related Export Controls

The Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has published three rulemaking initiatives — a final rule, an interim final rule, and a proposed rule — to advance ongoing efforts in promoting U.S. leadership in space and to protect U.S. national security and foreign policy interests. The Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) also issued a proposed rule concurrent with that from BIS. Together, these rulemaking actions effectively remove license requirements for spacecraft and related items to certain allied countries, reduce and otherwise clarify space-related license requirements in other instances, move certain controlled commodities from the United States Munitions List (USML) to the Commerce Control List (CCL), and propose a new license exception for commercial space activities.