Following the entry into force of the new EU Dual-Use Regulation 2021/821 last month (see also our recent post), the EU has introduced new document codes that need to be used on EU customs export declarations for exports and transits of dual-use items.
Notably, specific codes now apply depending on the relevant (type of) authorisation/licence. The old code “X002” (which was previously valid for all dual-use authorisations) has been replaced and cannot be used anymore.
The Ministry of Finance released the draft Decree Regulating the Management of Imports and Exports Transacted via E-commerce in August 2021. The Draft Decree introduces dedicated customs procedures for e-commerce transacted goods, including provisions on advance information submissions via a specialized customs electronic data processing system; exemptions from specialized management and inspection and from import tax; categorization of goods; and customs procedures for returned goods.
On 20 July 2021, the UK Government announced that the National Security and Investment Act will enter into full force on 4 January 2022. The NSI Act creates a new, self-standing UK investment screening regime on national security grounds, comparable to CFIUS in the US.
To address international human rights and responsible business conduct, in 2019 Canada established the Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise.The CORE represents the Government of Canada’s commitment to provide a mechanism to respond to concerns raised about the protection and respect for human rights by Canadian-based companies doing business around the globe in the garment, mining, and oil and gas sectors. On 28 October, Baker McKenzie will explore the mandate of the CORE as well as the mechanisms it has put in place to address human rights complaints.
On 18 August 2021, the Medical Device Coordination Group, composed of representatives of all Member States and chaired by a representative of the European Commission, published the guidance on procedures for the translation of labels and instructions for use, as well as the repackaging of medical devices. The guidance is intended to provide assistance to distributors and importers carrying out the above activities by clarifying the relevant requirements, pursuant to Article 16 of the Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and 2017/746 on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices, respectively.
This 1 hour session will explore the issues you might anticipate arising in light of emerging trends to litigation across Europe and offer some practical thoughts on how to minimize or avoid the risk of litigation when effecting changes to your distribution and supply chain. We are delighted to invite you to join us on Tuesday October 5 via Zoom as we discuss managing your supply chain. Click here to register and receive joining details.
Hong Kong controls dual-use items under the Import and Export Ordinance and its corresponding subsidiary legislation, the Import and Export Regulations. On 17 September 2021, an order to amend the list of strategic commodities under relevant schedules to the IESCR came into effect. The amendments aim to align Hong Kong’s control list with international non-proliferation regimes, including the Wassenaar Arrangement.
US federal government agencies charged with implementing President Biden’s February 24, 2021 Executive Order 14017 continue to assess supply chain risks and vulnerabilities by issuing public requests for comment. Among other things, the Supply Chain EO directs the heads of several federal agencies to conduct a one-year review to examine supply chains for potential vulnerabilities in a number of sectors.
In recent weeks, the US Government has imposed a series of additional sanctions against Russia consisting of additional measures focused on the energy pipeline sector, as well as further measures in response to the alleged poisoning of Alexy Navalny. This latest escalation of sanctions against Russia builds upon the April 2021 sanctions imposed pursuant to Executive Order 14024, “Blocking Property With Respect to Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation.”
On 25 August 2021 the EU Commission published guidance on the transitional rules of origin in the pan-Euro-Mediterranean area. The EU is currently amending 21 origin protocols within the pan-Euro-Mediterranean area by implementing an alternative set of rules of origin which will apply alongside the rules of the Regional Convention on pan-Euro-Mediterranean preferential rules of origin.