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techUK secures changes to export licencing for Electronic Components
First milestone of Export Control Reform group achieved. ECO publishes two OGELs.
Yesterday, techUK achieved the first milestone in reforming export controls for Electronics Components manufacturers. The Export Control Organisation (ECO) have published two Open General Export Licences (OGEL) covering Printed Circuit Boards, Connectors, Fixing and Fastenings.
This milestone concludes two years of work at techUK to initially produce a techUK report identifying the impact to UK exporters, to work with industry in proposing reforms to the licencing system and with the Export Control Organisation to implement changes in the form of specific OGELs addressing the needs of the UK Electronics Components industry.
Both OGELs are mentioned here on the Government web site GOV.UK
techUK's report (competitive disadvantage caused by the way the UK implements export controls) identified that UK Electronics businesses were losing exports worth £2m per day to competitors based outside of the UK due to existing licencing restrictions. The new OGELs considerably reduce the regulatory burden on UK exporters allowing controlled export without lengthy delays normally associated with licence applications.
However, this is not the end of the road - it is just a milestone, albeit a significant one.
The OGELs issued do not cover the entire scope of 'low-risk' electronic components that techUK and the ECO have identified as potentially moving to a 'light touch' licencing system, so there is still much work to be done and obstacles to be overcome.
In addition, during the course of consultation with industry, another significant export licencing issue has been highlighted - the export of components, subsystems and equipment that incorporate Encryption in common use for a wide variety of industries and at the heart of Internet of Things.
techUK have formed a joint working group with ADS EGADD to address these issues with the ECO. If you would like to be involved, please contact Ken Ball, EMSC Programme Manager
