CNS’s office in Washington, DC today launched a website focused on export control compliance topics. CNS in DC is undertaking research into export controls for emerging technology controls, particularly in the context of strategic competition. As part of that research, the DC office has developed guidance for several emerging technology sectors on how best to ensure compliance with export controls and nonproliferation aims more broadly. A central purpose of the website therefore is to distill the sectoral guidance generated as a result of this research.
The guidance includes more than 30 case studies related to technology transfer involving Russia and China. The website also presents introductory materials on trade controls including export controls, proliferation finance controls and sanctions. This website will serve as a central hub for information on CNS’s research on trade controls and emerging technology proliferation. It will continue to evolve and be updated to reflect additional materials as they are produced.
The sectoral guidance on export control in an era of strategic competition includes the following sections:
- Strategic Competition
- Trends in Technology Acquisition
- Sectoral Analysis (a synthesis sectoral mapping effort on specific industries)
- Red Flags
- Compliance Guidance
- Case Studies
In addition to these core sections, the website features additional resources and topics such as suggestions for additions to Internal Compliance Program (ICP) guidance, use of distributors, and techniques for due diligence research.
The introductory material currently includes the following:
- Introduction to Export Control
- Trade Compliance in Universities and Research Institutes
- Proliferation Finance
As CNS continues research on these topics, the website will be updated. Some upcoming content that will be added to the website includes the following:
- Video content for specific sections and case studies in the sectoral guidance
- An overview of trade control measures related to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- CNS analysis of Russia’s defense supply chains
The CNS DC team intends to continue to add to this website. This will include adding more detail on sectoral mapping issues, particularly as cases become relevant in the news. It will also include the creation of additional case studies particularly drawing on CNS's big data approaches. Presently, the following additions are being prepared:
- Additional case studies marked as 'reserved' in the current version of the guidance
- Videos summarizing key elements of this guidance and the cases studies.
- Additional granularity regarding the entities involved in China’s missile and space programs.
- A case study related to China’s nuclear programs.
- An overview of key Russian defense entity procurement practices.
- An overview of sanctions on Russia which includes a country-by-country breakdown.
- Additional sectors to the sectoral analysis, including Machine Tools and Additive Manufacturing.
The website can be accessed at https://www.tradecompliance.io/. You can also subscribe to the CNS DC newsletter by updating your preferences in this signup form or follow CNS DC on Twitter.