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 05 March 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
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Guide to the ECO and to Export Controls

The Export Control Organisation (ECO) is part of the Europe and World Trade Directorate (EWT) which, in turn, is part of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) formerly DTI.  Its chief task is to process applications for licences to export strategic goods from the UK. It also:

  • runs a Rating Service which advises exporters on whether or not a licence is required
  • provides help for exporters, via a Helpline, a website, a DVD and video, and programmes of seminars and workshops.
  • enforces compliance with the terms of "open" licences through regular company visits
  • records data about licence applications for the Government's annual report on strategic export controls; these reports are now also produced quarterly
  • takes part in the work of the international arms control regimes
  • updates the UK Strategic Export Control Lists
  • develops new open general licences 
  • contributes to government export licensing policy
  • takes part in FCO-led international outreach work to promote good export licensing practice in other countries
  • works with other government departments on counter-proliferation activities

The UK's strategic export controls are based on national and international commitments on transfers of conventional weapons, missiles, chemical and biological weapons and nuclear-related goods and technology, and components thereof.

These commitments are enshrined in the UK Strategic Export Control Lists made up of the UK Military List (for goods/technology designed specifically for military use) and the Dual-Use List (for goods/technology which may have military or civil applications). Control lists are updated periodically to reflect changes in these regimes. The UK also controls goods which are not on the Dual-Use List but which may be used in connection with a WMD programme.

Click on the link in the right hand column for more information about the ECO and the controls it administers.

Export Control Organisation

Created: January 2006

Updated: 11 February 2008

© Crown copyright 2008