WIREDGOV

The EU will soon have a more uniform approach to the export of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition. The Council adopted a decision establishing a set of common features that end-user certificates for the export of SALW and their ammunition will have to respect.

The aim of this decision, published yesterday on the Official Journal of the EU, is to diminish the risk of arms diversion to illicit or unintended users, create a level playing field and increase clarity for the defence industry and its clients regarding relevant requirements.

The adoption of the Council decision is a concrete follow up to the Council Conclusions from 16 September 2019 accompanying the review of the Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment, and an important step contributing to further convergence in arms export policies of member states.

• Official Journal of the European Union, 18 January 2021
• Control of arms export: Council adopts conclusions, new decision updating the EU's common rules and a revised user's guide (press release, 16 September 2019)

Press contacts

Maria Daniela Lenzu

Press officer

+32 2 281 21 46
+32 470 88 04 02

If you are not a journalist, please send your request to the public information service.