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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is transferring applications for its Form 680 to SPIRE, the online export licensing system run by the Export Control Organisation (part of the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.
The MOD Form 680 is the means used by the Government to consider the release of classified information held by defence companies for use in export promotion. It also allows defence companies to obtain an indication of the Government’s view about a subsequent export licence application, which can help direct their marketing efforts.
NOTE: Form 680 applications are dealt with by the Ministry of Defence. They are NOT export licences and are a totally separate process, even though they will be available via SPIRE.
Read more about MOD F680 Applications.
Applications for MOD F680 clearance will be made available via SPIRE from 27 April 2009 for a group of companies that are participating in an initial phase. All other companies will start to apply online on SPIRE from 18 May. If MOD has not contacted your company about participating in the initial phase you will not be able to start applying for Form 680 clearance on SPIRE until 18 May. After 18 May new applications can only be made online. MOD will complete the processing of existing applications under the present system whereby applicants receive their outcome letter by e-mail.
Companies will be able to apply for Form 680 clearance by logging on to the Department for Business’s SPIRE website in the same way as they do when applying for an export licence. A new user option will open up the online F680 application form. The SPIRE website homepage is at www.spire.berr.gov.uk
Your company will need to be registered on SPIRE before you can apply online for Form 680 clearance. If your company is not already registered you can log on to the SPIRE homepage and click on ‘Registering Your Company’, which provides information on how to register.
A detailed guidance document with screenshots showing how to apply for for Form 680 clearance via SPIRE, will be published on the ECO website and on SPIRE in early May.
Transferring Form 680 applications to SPIRE will have advantages for the defence industry. There will be one portal for applying for export clearances including export licences, ratings and Form 680s. SPIRE is a proven, integrated IT-based system that will support the F680 process from application to outcome letter. The new online F680 application form will require exporters to supply the same information as in the present form.
Further information is available from the EPA (formerly DESP) desk officer who normally deals with your company’s F680 applications. If you are unable to contact your normal desk officer you can telephone the MOD helpline on 020 7305 2521/2518/2519 or e-mail at newf680@desp.mod.uk
Please note that the Directorate of Export Services Policy (DESP) has changed its name to Export Policy and Assurance (EPA). Telephone numbers remain unchanged. E-mail addresses are due to be updated after June 2009.
Export Policy and Assurance
Ministry of Defence
3rd Floor
St George’s Court
2-12 Bloomsbury Way
London WC1A 2SH
E-mail: newf680@desp.mod.uk
This notice is for information purposes only and has no force in law. Please note that where legal advice is required exporters should make their own arrangements.
Export Control Organisation
21 April 2009
NTE 200908
