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This snapshot taken on 26/07/2008, shows web content selected for preservation by The National Archives. External links, forms and search boxes may not work in archived websites.
To help you, some of the more specialised expressions and acronyms used in terms of export control are defined or explained here. This glossary has no formal status and should not be taken as an interpretation of the law.
NOTE: The Business Link website includes a list of International Trade Glossary Terms.
Think that a term is missing and should be added? Let us know by contacting ECO on web.comments@berr.gsi.gov.uk
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An international body concerned with controlling certain chemicals, biological agents and manufacturing equipment that could contribute to the spread of chemical and biological weapons (CBW).
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Automatic Licence Verification - The means by which export licence details are checked electronically when an export declaration is made. It removes the need for presentation of paper licences and facilitates faster clearance of goods.
The list of controlled dual-use goods in Council Regulation No 1334/2000
(For more information see link to EC Dual-Use Regulation)
Part of Council Regulation No 1334/2000. This annex is the CGEA No EU001 (referred to in Article 6). Part 1 specifies the goods permitted by the authorisation. Part 2 specifies goods which are excluded from the authorisation (including all Annex IV goods). Part 3 lists the eligible countries.
Part of Council Regulation No 1334/2000. Contains the guidelines for member states to issue their own export authorisations (open licences). Referred to in Article 10.
A subset of Annex I in the Council Regulation No 1334/2000. The dual-use goods listed in Annex IV are unusual in that they require an export licence to other member states, unlike the other goods in Annex I.
May appear after the name of export control legislation to show that at least one amendment has been made since it was originally introduced.
Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Provisions relating to end-use concerns. Where an exporter has been informed by the authorities, or is aware, that a potential export of items not ordinarily requiring an export licence is, or may be intended, for WMD-related end-use then the export becomes licensable.
Where an exporter suspects that dual-use items are intended for WMD-related end-use, he must inform ECO who will decide whether export of the items is licensable.
In addition where an exporter has been informed or is aware that dual-use items, not otherwise controlled, are either intended for
(For more information see link to Military and WMD End Use Controls)
Communications Electronic Security Group, part of GCHQ
Common Foreign and Security Policy (EU)
Community General Export Authorisation - An open licence which permits the export of controlled dual use items to the following countries - Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, USA.
(For more information see link to Community General Export Authorisation)
Customs Handling of Import/Export Freight – HMRC system for making Customs declarations.
EU Council Working Group on Arms Exports
European Union Code of Conduct on Arms Exports, adopted on 8 June 1998. All EU member states have agreed to apply the Code of Conduct when assessing applications to export itesm listed in the agreed EU Common Military List. The Code of Conduct also aims to improve information sharing and mutual understanding of export control policies.
Parliamentary Committee which considers strategic export controls. The Committee is the joint meeting of 4 Select Committees: Defence, Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade & Industry. Formerly known as the Quad Committee.
Acting in accordance with the legislation. The term is widely used in relation to companies’ procedures for dealing with export controls, especially in USA and Europe.
(For more information see link to Compliance)
The person or organisation to which goods are originally exported. Literally, this is "the person to whom the goods are consigned". It is not necessarily the end user.
Required from a consignee in accordance with Open Individual Licence conditions.
(For more information see link to End-User and Consignee Undertakings for SIELs and OIELs)
Consolidated EU and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria - 8 criteria against which licence applications are judged on a case by case basis.
List of strategically controlled items - the Consolidated List comprises several parts including the UK Military List, UK Explosive-Related List, UK Dual-Use List, EU Human Rights List, UK National Security and Para-military List, UK National Radioactive Sources List, EC Regulation Annex 1 (list of dual-use items), Community General Export Authorisation (Annex II of the EC Regulation) and EC Regulation (Annex IV).
(For more information see link to UK Strategic Export Control Lists)
Counter-Proliferation Department, part of the FCO
Chemical Weapons Convention.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Defence Export Services Policy, part of MOD
Directorate of Defence Security, part of MOD
Department for International Development (external website)
Denial Notification - Advice received from another country that a licence application for particular goods was refused. A UK export licence will not be issued for similar goods to the same end user without consultation with the country that issued the DN.
Defence Science and Technology Laboratory - an agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD) which provides scientific and technical research and advice to the MOD and other government departments.
Department of Trade and Industry, name of the former Department with responsibility for strategic export control.
Items, including software and technology, which are not military items but can be used for both civil and military purposes. This includes all goods which can be used for both non-explosive uses and assisting in the manufacture of nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices.
(For more information see link to EC Dual-Use Regulation)
European Community.
Export Control Organisation, the part of BERR that processes export licence applications.
Economic Community of West African States. Comprises 16 states and intended to encourage economic integration and to increase political co-operation. In late 1998, ECOWAS declared a moratorium on the import, export and manufacture of light weapons.
(For more information see link to West African States)
The Export of Goods, Transfer of Technology and Provision of Technical Assistance (Control) Order 2003, as amended. Also referred to as the ‘Main Order.
(For more information see link to Legislation)
Export Licence Application
(For more information see link to Licences)
Electronic Licensing via the Internet System, the method of applying for SIELs prior to SPIRE
The final use of exported items (in some cases may be beyond the use of the direct consignee).
The intended user of the goods in the form in which they were exported. Not necessarily the consignee.
(For more information see link to End-User and Consignee Undertakings for SIELs and OIELs)
European Union.
End-User Undertaking, sometimes known as an End-User Certificate (EUC).
(For more information see link to End-User and Consignee Undertakings for SIELs and OIELs)
Refers to the regulation of the export of certain items to certain destinations or in certain circumstances as specified in the relevant legislation. Controlled items may be exported only under licence.
Foreign and Commonwealth Office (external website)
The MOD Form 680 is the means used by the Government to consider the release of classified information held by companies for use in export promotion. Also a requirement of certain Open General Export Licences (OGELs).
(For more information see link to Ministry of Defence F680 Form)
Government Communications Headquarters (external website)
General Software Note - helps clarify scope of controls on software
Global Project Licences – issued under the “Framework Agreement Concerning Measures to Facilitated the Restructuring and Operation of the European Defence Industry” to cover transfers of controlled goods between participating states. (The agreement is between France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and the UK)
(For more information see link to Global Project Licences)
General Technology Note - helps clarify scope of controls on technology.
Her Majesty’s Government.
Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (external website)
Human Rights, Democracy and Governance Group, part of FCO
International Organisations Department, part of FCO
International Trade Single Window - cross-government project to provide one stop source of business and international trade information on the Business Link website.
Joined-up and more Efficient Working on Export Licensing - an export licensing performance improvement project to create a joined-up export licensing community across Government.
Authorisation for export of controlled items (in this case, issued by ECO). In addition to OGELs, OIELs and SIELs, the following forms of licence are available:
(For more information see link to Licences)
Licence Required
Ministry of Defence (external website)
Missile Technology Control Regime. An international body concerned with controlling goods usable in, or for the manufacture of, missiles for delivering WMD payloads.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Nuclear Consultations and Liabilities Unit, part of BERR.
No Licence Required
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Properly known as the “Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons”, implemented in 1968. Well over 100 countries are signatories.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Nuclear Suppliers Group. An international body concerned with controlling goods usable in, or for the production of, nuclear WMD.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Nuclear Technology Note - helps clarify scope of controls on nuclear technology.
Other Government Departments
Open General Export Licence - covering a wide range of controlled items to a range of non-sensitive destinations. Most require companies to register as an OGEL user. Conditions of use are set out in each OGEL.
(For more information see link to Open General Export Licences)
Open General Licence includes OGELS, OGTCL, OGTL.
Open General Trade Control Licence
(For more information see link to Trade Control Licences)
Open General Transshipment Licence.
(For more information see link to Transhipment Licences)
Open Individual Export Licence – issued to a named company for frequent shipments of less sensitive items to less sensitive destinations. Conditions of use are set out in the OIEL.
(For more information see link to Open Individual Export Licences)
Open Individual Trade Control Licence – this is specific to a named trader and covers the involvement in trading of specific goods between a specific source and destination countries and/or specified consignors, consignees and end-users. The licences are usually valid for 2 years.
(For more information see link to Trade Control Licences)
Prior to SPIRE this was the licence application form for OIELs.
Organisation of Security and Co-Operation in Europe
Term used in reference to the unwelcome spread of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons and missiles.
Former name for the Committee on Arms Export Controls.
Advice on the licensing status of specified items.
(For more information see link to Rating Enquiry Service)
Single Administrative Document (SAD). This document, in the same format, is used throughout the EU to declare imports and exports - each country having it printed in their own language. Also known as form C88.
SAD Harmonisation - An EU-wide project to harmonise the rules under with import and export declarations are made using the Single Administrative Document (SAD). Introduced changes to the way export licences are declared in Box 44 of the SAD and a new requirement relating to declarations of so-called 'innocent goods'.
(For more information see link to Notice to Exporters - 2008/01)
Statuatory Instrument - UK secondary legislation providing details of controls and how are applied. These are in the form of Orders.
(For more information see link to Legislation)
Standard Individual Export Licence – issued to a named company for one or more exports of specified items to the same consignee at the same destination. Quantity and value limits apply.
(For more information see link to Standard Individual Export Licences)
Standard Individual Trade Control Licence – specific to a named trader and allowing for trade in a set amount of specific goods between a specific source and destination country with a specified consignor, consignee and end-user. The licences are usually valid for 2 years.
(For more information see link to Trade Control Licences)
IT-enabled business change project to provide a single web-based portal for licence applications, rating enquiries and OGL registrations, and allow for electronic export licences to be issued. Replaces ELVIS, OLLIE, disk and paper-based methods of applying.
(For more information see link to SPIRE Website)
Relating to security, defence and proliferation interests. In this context it differentiates the controlled items that are the subject of BERR Export Control Organisation licensing from other items subject to controls by other Government Departments for other reasons (for example flora and fauna or national art treasures).
(For more information see link to Export Controls not administered by ECO)
Goods which are not destined for end-use in the UK, but are passing through it en route to another country.
A list of nuclear materials, facilities and related technology, the export of which ‘triggers’ international safeguards under the auspices of the IAEA to prevent their diversion for WMD use.
Traders Unique Reference Number (a 12 digit numeric number containing a 9 digit VAT number followed by a 3 digit suffix, typically 000 which should be completed on the Export Licence application. The TURN is one of the data items cross-validated as part of the ALV process following introduction of the SPIRE to CHIEF system interface.
(For more information see link to Notice to Exporters - 2008/06)
United Nations (external website)
United Nations Department at FCO.
United Nations Security Council Resolution - imposing sanctions on targeted country.
UK Trade & Investment - UK Government organization responsible for assisting UK companies to export overseas and foreign companies to invest in the UK.
UK Trade & Investment Defence & Security Organisation - part of UKTI responsible for defence trade promotion.
Wassenaar Arrangement. An agreement through which Participating States make and review export controls relating to conventional weapons and to dual-use goods and technologies in order to promote regional and international security and technologies in order to promote regional and international security.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Weapons of Mass Destruction.
(For more information see link to Military and WMD End Use Controls)
Export Control and Non-Proliferation Directorate - former directorate within DTI of ECO was a part.
A group of countries with the capability to supply nuclear material and equipment with an interest in the NPT and its interpretation.
(For more information see link to International Proliferation and Arms Control Regimes)
Export Control Organisation
Updated: 21 April 2008