BIS published a Federal Register notice announcing an Emerging Technology Technical Advisory Committee (ETTAC) meeting (including an open session and a closed session). While not an EAR text amendment, the notice is compliance-relevant as it indicates the committee will discuss potential revisions to export control policies and pre-decisional changes to the Commerce Control List/EAR. The notice invites submission of written statements for consideration (by the stated deadline for timely distribution). Compliance teams may wish to monitor outputs from ETTAC activity as an early indicator of possible future CCL/EAR changes affecting emerging technologies.
BIS announced an administrative enforcement settlement with Coastal PVA Technology, Inc., reinforcing enforcement expectations under the EAR for transactions involving Entity List parties. The settlement underscores that EAR99 items can still require authorization when exported/reexported/transferred to restricted parties (e.g., Entity List), and highlights due diligence expectations around distributor/reseller transactions and end-user screening, as well as compliance program elements such as procedures, training, and audits that may be required as settlement terms.
BIS published a final rule (15 CFR part 774) titled "Extension of Authorized Integrated Circuit (IC) Designer Status and Application Deadline To Become an Approved IC Designer" extending the date tied to "authorized integrated circuit designer" status and the deadline for submitting applications to become an approved IC designer under Note 1 to ECCN 3A090.a. The rule extends the relevant triggering/application date to December 31, 2026 (replacing a prior April 2026 date referenced in the rule). This affects exporters, reexporters, and transferors involved in advanced computing/logic IC supply chains who rely on the approved/authorized IC designer pathways associated with ECCN 3A090 controls; compliance teams should update internal calendars, application planning, and customer/supplier qualification workflows accordingly.
BIS issued a final rule amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) by revising Note 1 to ECCN 3A090.a (Supplement No. 1 to 15 CFR Part 774) to replace the date “April 13, 2026” with “December 31, 2026” in paragraphs a.(2) and a.(3). This extends the trigger date for “authorized integrated circuit (IC) designer” status and the application deadline to become an “approved IC designer,” which affects how exporters can use/qualify for pathways intended to address presumptions and licensing posture for certain advanced logic integrated circuits controlled under ECCN 3A090.a. Compliance teams should update internal procedures, eligibility planning, and any supplier/customer communications keyed to the prior April 2026 deadline.
BIS removed Cambodia from Country Group D:5 (U.S. Arms Embargoed Countries) to conform with the State Department's November 7, 2025 removal of Cambodia from ITAR §126.1. Cambodia remains in Country Group D:1 (National Security concerns), and military end-user restrictions under §§744.21 and 744.22 remain in effect. This reflects renewed U.S.-Cambodia defense cooperation.
BIS issued an Interim Final Rule (IFR) amending the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR parts 740 and 774) to ease export/reexport/transfer requirements for certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Key changes include: (1) for ECCN 9A012.a.1 short-endurance civil UAVs, BIS revised the reason for control from NS Column 1 (NS1) to NS Column 2 (NS2), expanding no-license-required (NLR) eligibility to more destinations (as described in the rule); (2) BIS expanded License Exception STA by adding § 740.20(c)(1)(ii), allowing certain Missile Technology (MT)-controlled UAVs in ECCNs 9A012 and 9A120 to use STA for exports/reexports/transfers to or within Country Group A:5, while maintaining an exclusion for UAVs capable of delivering ≥500 kg payload to a range of ≥300 km; and (3) BIS made conforming/implementing text edits including to § 740.20(b)(2)(iii) and STA carve-outs in § 740.2(a)(5). The rule was effective January 20, 2026, and BIS requested public comments by February 19, 2026. Compliance teams exporting commercial/civil UAVs should reassess classification (ECCN), destination eligibility (Country Group A:1 vs A:5), STA eligibility conditions, and any internal screening/controls tied to MT parameters.
The BIS has issued an interim final rule to streamline export controls on certain civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This update reduces regulatory burden for low-risk commercial drone exports while maintaining national security safeguards.
BIS amended the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) to revise the license review policy for exports of certain advanced computing commodities to China and Macau. The change shifts review from a “presumption of denial” to “case-by-case” for specified items when stated conditions are met (e.g., exporter certifications and supporting data/assurances referenced in the rule). Compliance teams should reassess licensing strategy, internal documentation/certification workflows, and transaction screening for applicable ECCNs/transactions involving China and Macau under the updated review policy.
BIS suspended for one year the Affiliates Rule that extended EAR license requirements to entities owned 50% or more by parties on the Entity List, MEU List, or SDN List. The suspension is effective November 10, 2025 through November 9, 2026, after which all Affiliates Rule provisions automatically reimpose unless BIS extends the suspension. Companies should prepare for potential snap-back compliance obligations.
BIS expanded end-user controls to automatically extend Entity List, MEU List, and SDN List license requirements to non-U.S. entities owned 50% or more by listed parties. The 'Affiliates Rule' significantly expands the scope of restricted parties beyond explicitly named entities. IMPORTANT: This rule was suspended for one year effective November 10, 2025, with automatic snap-back scheduled for November 10, 2026.
BIS relaxed certain export controls for Syria to facilitate humanitarian assistance and support civil society activities. The changes reflect evolving U.S. policy toward Syria and create new licensing opportunities for previously restricted transactions while maintaining appropriate safeguards.
BIS revoked Validated End-User (VEU) authorizations for certain entities in the People's Republic of China. Entities that previously benefited from VEU authorizations must now obtain individual export licenses for covered items. Exporters should verify current authorization status before proceeding with transactions.
BIS implemented additional due diligence measures for advanced computing integrated circuits, including new reporting requirements for front-end fabricators producing applicable advanced logic ICs. The rule establishes approved IC designer and approved OSAT company lists, application processes for additions to these lists, and clarifies the scope of ECCN 3A090.a.
BIS implemented export controls on certain laboratory equipment and related technology to address dual-use concerns about biotechnology. The rule adds new controls on items that could be used for biological weapons development or other nefarious purposes while balancing legitimate scientific and commercial applications.
BIS established the Framework for Artificial Intelligence Diffusion, implementing new export controls on advanced AI chips and model weights. The framework includes provisions for validated end-users, acceptable use policies, documentation and auditing requirements, and security requirements for entities receiving controlled AI technology. It creates tiered country treatment with different authorization levels.