Commerce seeks input on refining deemed export policy

Commerce seeks input on refining deemed export policy    The U.S. Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security said Monday it's seeking public input on recommendations made by the Deemed Export Advisory Committee in its December 2007 report.
   The country's deemed export licensing policy regulates foreign nationals' access to certain U.S. technologies for purposes of national security. In response to public concern that the policy hindered innovation and U.S. technological competitiveness, Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez established the advisory committee in June 2006 and ordered a top-to-bottom review of the U.S. deemed export policy.
   The committee recommended in its report, The Deemed Export Rule in the Era of Globalization, that BIS conduct a 'zero-based' annual review of the technologies on the Commerce Control List (CCL) and an overall assessment of the probable country affiliation of a foreign national that will have access to controlled technology.
   In a Federal Register notice, BIS asked the public for input on whether the scope of technologies on the CCL that are subject to deemed export licensing requirements should be 'narrowed, and if so, which technologies should be subject to deemed export licensing requirements.'
   The agency also requested comments on whether a more comprehensive set of criteria should be used to assess country affiliation for foreign nationals with respect to deemed exports.
   'I fully encourage our stakeholders in the academic community, the private sector, and in the broader policy community to share your views with us,' said Undersecretary of Commerce Mario Mancuso, in a statement. 'We need your input to ensure that our deemed export policy advances U.S. security and economic objectives in a world vastly changed from the time our current rules were created.'
   For a complete review of the Federal Register notice, access online edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-11169.pdf.