SIA Applauds New Export Control Regulations for Satellites

Washington, D.C., May 14, 2014 - The Satellite Industry Association (SIA) today applauded  the publication of new regulations that reform the export controls for satellites and related items.  The U.S. Departments of State and Commerce each published rules that will transfer commercial communications satellites and some remote sensing satellites, along with tens of thousands of  associated parts, components, and ground terminals from the more restrictive U.S. Munitions  List to the Commerce Control List. 

This action marks the end of a 15-year period during which all U.S. satellite exports were  licensed as munitions, creating unnecessary constraints on U.S. satellite competitiveness  internationally. The Administration issued final rules less than 18 months after the U.S. Congress  passed legislation permitting satellite export control reform, with bipartisan and bicameral  support. The new regulations will take effect in six months’ time, to allow U.S. manufacturers,  their international suppliers and customers, and government agencies to update their internal  licensing and compliance systems. 

“SIA congratulates the U.S. government on this truly comprehensive overhaul to the U.S. satellite export control system,” said Patricia Cooper, President of the Satellite Industry  Association. “With a more modern regulatory environment for exports in place, we look forward  to unleashing the full force of American ingenuity and innovation at work in the international  market.” 

The Satellite Industry Association has promoted satellite export reform for over 15 years, by  actively advocating for legislation to permit reform and participating extensively in the process to develop final rules. Ms. Cooper added, “We at SIA thank the many Administration and  Congressional officials who undertook this thoughtful and wide-sweeping update and look forward to a careful review of the new regulations and active engagement throughout the implementation period.” 

For the full text of the final regulations, please visit the following link: 

U. S. Department of Commerce: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-05-13/pdf/2014-10807.pdf