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 08 August 2007
Confident Consumers - A Fair Deal creating Prosperity & Success for All
 
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SPIRE - An Introduction

SPIRE is the Export Control Organisation’s new fully electronic system for processing licence applications. When it goes live in September 2007, it will replace all the methods currently in use to apply for any of the licences processed by the Export Control Organisation within the DTI.

PLEASE REMEMBER - FROM THE END OF JUNE 07, IT WILL NOT BE POSSIBLE TO SUBMIT SIEL APPLICATIONS VIA THE INTERNET (i.e. THROUGH ELVISWEB).

 

In designing SPIRE, we have looked to address the majority of issues raised to us as ‘areas to improve’ in our current systems and processes.

As a result, SPIRE should feel intuitive to use and have consistent questions across the different applications (wherever possible).  It will provide facilities that make applying for licences far more straightforward and will reduce the risk of errors being introduced through the need to transcribe paper forms.  It will also mean that licences cannot possibly be lost anymore as paper licences will not be issued, only electronic licences.

At the highest level, SPIRE will work as follows:

  • Licence applications will be made using the SPIRE application accessed via the internet.
  • The application forms have been made easier to complete and more consistent. All information will be secured as you move between screens on SPIRE, so you will be able to complete an application form over a number of sessions if you need to. You will also have the ability to access previous applications and information you may have sent us and use this in new application forms. This should prove very useful to help you complete the forms quickly and efficiently.
  • Once automatically validated by SPIRE, the licence application (and any supporting documentation) will be sent electronically to the DTI over a highly secure link.
  • All the processing within the DTI and Other Government Departments will be electronic using SPIRE.
  • The paper licences currently produced will be replaced by digitally signed electronic licences. The master copy of the licence will be held at the DTI. A copy of the electronic licence will also be held by HMRC (who will also be able to access SPIRE).
  • There will be limited application tracking information made available on SPIRE so you will be able to see, at a very high level, how your application is progressing.

To help answer the many questions we think you may have, we have produced a comprehensive set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about SPIRE. Hopefully these will answer the majority of questions you may have. The FAQs will be updated as we are able to provide you with more information. We will also provide regular updates on SPIRE through the Notices to Exporters e-mails, through the website and through inserts that will go out with any licences we issue.

The links on the right will soon include guidance on how to register yourself or organisation on SPIRE (function available from 6 August 2007), how to enable pop-ups so SPIRE can work better for you and how to register of OGLs and the CGEA on SPIRE (function also available from 6 August 2007).

SPIRE Helpline: 020 7215 4594

August 2007

© Crown copyright 2007