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<h1 class="page_title has_meta">The Export Control Organisation: an overview</h1>
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<p class="summary">The Export Control Organisation issues licences for controlling the export of goods such as military hardware and radioactive sources.</p>
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<nav class="contextual-info" id="page-navigation"><h1>Contents</h1>
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<li>
<a href="#introduction">Introduction</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#eco-aims-and-responsibilities">ECO aims and responsibilities</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-eco-and-basic-background-to-export-control">The ECO and basic background to export control</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#eco-targets-and-objectives">ECO targets and objectives</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#eco-performance-reporting">ECO performance reporting</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="#the-eco-and-its-stakeholders">The ECO and its stakeholders</a>
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<li>
<a href="#the-eco-and-its-customers">The ECO and its customers</a>
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<a href="#further-information">Further information</a>
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<h2 id="introduction">Introduction</h2>
<p>The Export Control Organisation (<abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>) issues licences for controlling the export of strategic goods. This specifically means military goods, dual-use goods (civilian goods but with potential military use or application), products used for torture and repression, and radioactive sources.</p>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> also issues trade control licences for the trafficking and brokering of arms and dual-use goods.</p>
<p>A licence is required if the intended export is listed on either the UK Strategic Export Control Lists or because of end-use controls (which make exports licensable even if not on a control list).</p>
<p>This guide explains the role of the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>, its responsibilities and goals. It also explains how the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> deals with balancing restricted exports and helping to prevent the export of weapons of mass destruction, while also supporting and encouraging UK businesses.</p>
<p>Finally, it will explain the government organisations that make up the ‘export licensing community’, who operate together in making licensing decisions, and the stakeholders it is involved with.</p>
<h2 id="eco-aims-and-responsibilities">
<abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> aims and responsibilities</h2>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is part of Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (<abbr title="the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills">BIS</abbr>) under its Europe Trade and International Directorate (ETID).</p>
<p>The aim of the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is to ‘promote global security through strategic export controls, facilitating responsible exports’.</p>
<p>It is responsible for legislating, assessing and issuing export licences for specific ‘controlled’ goods. These goods include:</p>
<ul>
<li>dual-use goods - civilian goods with a potential military use</li>
<li>torture goods</li>
<li>radioactive sources</li>
<li>military items</li>
</ul>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> also issues trade control licences for the trafficking and brokering of arms and dual use goods.</p>
<p>Whether a licence is required depends on various factors, including the type of items exported and any sanctions in force on the export destination.</p>
<h3 id="eco-responsibilities">
<abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> responsibilities</h3>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> has the following additional responsibilities:</p>
<ul>
<li>auditing and ensuring compliance with Open Licences - this is done through regular company audits</li>
<li>reporting statistics about strategic export licence applications - this is done quarterly and is included in the government’s annual report on export controls</li>
<li>undertaking a wide range of national and international outreach activities</li>
<li>participating in the shaping of worldwide arms control policies - through the international arms control regimes</li>
<li>working with other government departments on counter-proliferation activities</li>
<li>developing UK export licensing legislation - with other industry stakeholders and non-governmental organisations</li>
<li>providing help and advice to exporters - through a helpline, seminar programmes, rating enquiry service and database tools - including the Goods Checker and <abbr title="Open General Export Licence">OGEL</abbr> Checker</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information, see <a href="https://www.gov.uk/beginners-guide-to-export-controls">export controls: an introductory guide.</a></p>
<h2 id="the-eco-and-basic-background-to-export-control">The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> and basic background to export control</h2>
<p>The UK’s strategic export controls are based on national and international commitments on transfers of:</p>
<ul>
<li>conventional weapons</li>
<li>missiles</li>
<li>chemical and biological weapons</li>
<li>nuclear-related goods and technology, and associated components</li>
</ul>
<p>These commitments require the control of goods, software and technology which are itemised in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/uk-strategic-export-control-lists-the-consolidated-list-of-strategic-military-and-dual-use-items">UK Strategic Export Control Lists</a>, made up primarily of the UK Military List and the <abbr title="European Union">EU</abbr> Dual-Use List - for goods or technology that may have both military and civilian applications.</p>
<h3 id="uk-strategic-export-control-lists">UK Strategic Export Control Lists</h3>
<p>The UK Control Lists are created from various international commitments and are compiled from the work of the following international export control and non-proliferation regimes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Australia Group</li>
<li>Chemical Weapons Convention</li>
<li>Missile Technology and Control Regime</li>
<li>Nuclear Suppliers Group</li>
<li>Wassenaar Arrangement</li>
<li>Zangger Committee</li>
</ul>
<p>These regimes decide which goods should be controlled to meet their counter proliferation objectives. The agreements are then incorporated into national legislation. Read more about the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/international-non-proliferation-and-arms-control-regimes">international non-proliferation and arms control regimes.</a></p>
<p>The Control Lists form the detailed basis of export control legislation. Exporters should consult the lists to determine if their goods need a licence.</p>
<p>The Control Lists list a wide range of items - some obvious, such as guns and ammunition and other less so, such as valves or software - and are published in two formats:</p>
<ul>
<li>as a Consolidated List - detailing the complete set of lists including the <abbr title="European Union">EU</abbr> Dual-Use List, the UK Radioactive Sources, <abbr title="European Union">EU</abbr> Capital Punishment and Torture Lists and other listings of goods</li>
<li>a specific subset - the UK Military List. This listing (which is incorporated into the Consolidated List) covers military, security and paramilitary goods, software and technology and arms, ammunition and related material</li>
</ul>
<p>For more information see the guide on the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/uk-strategic-export-control-lists-the-consolidated-list-of-strategic-military-and-dual-use-items">UK Strategic Export Control Lists</a>.</p>
<p>You can also find out about how to search the Control Lists and identify the relevant ‘rating’ entry of your goods by reading <a href="https://www.gov.uk/do-your-goods-need-an-export-licence">strategic exports: when to request an export licence</a>. This guidance covers information on how to ‘self-rate’ and provides details of the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s advisory services including the Control List Classification Search Tool and Advice Service and the End-User Advice Service.</p>
<p>If your goods are not listed on a Control List, you may still need a licence under End-Use Controls. See the guides on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/military-end-use-control-guidance-notes">Military End-Use Control</a> and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/weapons-of-mass-destruction-wmd-end-use-control"><abbr title="Weapons of Mass Destruction">WMD</abbr> End-Use Control</a>.</p>
<p>An overview of the factors involved in whether you might need an export licence is available in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/beginners-guide-to-export-controls">export controls: an introductory guide</a>.</p>
<h2 id="eco-targets-and-objectives">
<abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> targets and objectives</h2>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> plays an important role in focusing on global and national security issues, while at the same time balancing the needs of supporting businesses and encouraging competitiveness (which are the wider aims of <abbr title="the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills">BIS</abbr>). It assists in delivering central government targets and other agendas to promote these aims.</p>
<p>The main objective of the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is to control restricted exports and prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, while trying not to have a detrimental impact on UK business.</p>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> attempts to meet these objectives by:</p>
<ul>
<li>contributing to the government’s cross-cutting counter-proliferation work - this is defined in the public service agreement target to ‘reduce the impact of conflict through enhanced UK and international efforts’</li>
<li>working within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (<abbr title="Foreign and Commonwealth Office">FCO</abbr>) Departmental Strategic Objective, the aim of which is to make the world safer from global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction (<a rel="external" href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues">read about the <abbr title="Foreign and Commonwealth Office">FCO</abbr>’s work on global issues</a>)</li>
<li>contributing to the <abbr title="the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills">BIS</abbr> central purpose - to support businesses in an increasingly competitive business environment, both nationally and internationally (the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> specifically feeds into the Departmental Service Objective by attempting to deliver free and fair markets - with greater competition - for businesses, consumers and employees)</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="eco-performance-reporting">
<abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> performance reporting</h2>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> publishes quarterly reports and quarterly figures, including licensing performance statistics details. These statistics are measured against pre-defined performance targets.</p>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> also contributes to the government’s ‘UK Strategic Export Controls Annual Report’ (produced by the Foreign Office), which includes details of licensing performance statistics against defined targets.</p>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> also undertakes an annual customer satisfaction survey as part of its commitment to deliver an effective licensing service.</p>
<h3 id="committees-on-arms-export-controls">Committees on Arms Export Controls</h3>
<p>The work of <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is subject to parliamentary scrutiny from the Committees on Arms Export Controls. This is a House of Commons Select Committee made up of members of Parliament from the following committees:</p>
<ul>
<li>Business and Enterprise</li>
<li>Defence</li>
<li>Foreign Affairs</li>
<li>International Development</li>
</ul>
<p>It is responsible for examining the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Export Controls and holds the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> to account. It examines the government’s expenditure, administration and policy on strategic exports and the licensing of arms exports and other controlled goods.</p>
<p>Find information on the <a rel="external" href="http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/other-committees/committee-on-arms-export-controls">Committees on Arms Export Controls on the UK Parliament website</a>.</p>
<p>Find statistics on export licensing decisions on the <a rel="external" href="https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/eng/fox/sdb/SDBHOME">Strategic Export Controls: Reports and Statistics website.</a></p>
<h2 id="the-eco-and-its-stakeholders">The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> and its stakeholders</h2>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> works with a variety of stakeholders - firstly in terms of the practicalities of issuing licences and secondly in terms of awareness activities.</p>
<h3 id="the-export-licensing-community">The Export Licensing Community</h3>
<p>In terms of the licensing process, the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> works closely with other UK government departments. Together they collectively form what is called the “Export Licensing Community”:</p>
<ul>
<li>find information on the <a rel="external" href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en">work of the <abbr title="Foreign and Commonwealth Office">FCO</abbr></a>
</li>
<li>read about the <a rel="external" href="http://www.mod.uk/">work of the Ministry of Defence (<abbr title="Ministry of Defence">MOD</abbr>)</a>
</li>
<li>find out about the <a rel="external" href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/">work of the Department for International Development (<abbr title="Department for International Development">DFID</abbr>)</a>
</li>
<li>find information on <a rel="external" href="http://www.cesg.gov.uk/">the work of CESG</a>
</li>
<li>find information on the <a rel="external" href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/">work of the Department of Energy and Climate Change (<abbr title="Department of Energy and Climate Change">DECC</abbr>)</a> </li>
<li>read about <a rel="external" href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm">the work of HM Revenue & Customs</a>
</li>
</ul>
<p>The <abbr title="Foreign and Commonwealth Office">FCO</abbr>, <abbr title="Ministry of Defence">MOD</abbr>, <abbr title="Department for International Development">DFID</abbr>, CESG and <abbr title="Department of Energy and Climate Change">DECC</abbr> are all government departments that are integral to the making of licence decisions and are guided by the Consolidated <abbr title="European Union">EU</abbr> and National Arms Export Licensing Criteria. For more information, see the guide on <a href="https://www.gov.uk/assessment-of-export-licence-applications-criteria-and-policy">assessment of export licence applications - criteria and policy.</a></p>
<p><abbr title="Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs ">HMRC</abbr> is responsible for enforcing export controls and for verifying licences at ports and airports. It also imposes penalties and prosecutes exporters if they are found to breach export control legislation.</p>
<h3 id="other-stakeholders">Other stakeholders</h3>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> also has many other stakeholders - including non-government organisations, industry liaison groups and government departments - such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Export Control for Aerospace and Defence</li>
<li>Export Control Awareness Committee</li>
<li>UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)</li>
<li>UKTI Defence & Security Organisation</li>
</ul>
<p>These organisations are involved in working with the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> to ensure that all exporters are aware of the controls and their responsibilities.</p>
<h2 id="the-eco-and-its-customers">The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> and its customers</h2>
<p>As the UK’s regulatory authority for strategic export controls, the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is both responsible for export policy and also licensing service delivery. Within this context, the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> is mindful of Customer Service Excellence and Better Regulation principles, by performing its role in a business-friendly manner, which causes minimum disruption to the economy.</p>
<h3 id="who-the-ecos-customers-are">Who the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s customers are</h3>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s customers are diverse. They range from:</p>
<ul>
<li>new to experienced exporters</li>
<li>companies operating in a wide range of sectors such as security, telecommunications, oil and gas, aerospace, defence, marine and many more</li>
<li>small and medium sized enterprises, sole traders to multinational corporations</li>
<li>academics and researchers</li>
<li>private individuals who own military vehicles or firearms</li>
</ul>
<h3 id="the-ecos-commitment-to-exporters">The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s commitment to exporters</h3>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s commitment to exporters is outlined in the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Service and Performance Code. Download the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Service and Performance Code from the <a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/eco-service-performance.pdf"><abbr title="the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills">BIS</abbr> website (PDF, 127K).</a></p>
<p>The Code is drawn up in the light of the Statuatory Code of Practice for Regulators and the Cabinet Office’s Customer Service Excellence Standard.</p>
<p>You can access details of the progress in meeting licensing targets on the page on this site about export control in <a href="https://www.gov.uk/export-control-licensing-process-and-how-to-appeal">export control licensing process and how to appeal</a>. Alternatively you can <a rel="external" href="https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/eng/fox/sdb/SDBHOME">find statistics on export licensing decisions.</a></p>
<h3 id="understanding-and-learning-from-customers">Understanding and learning from customers</h3>
<p>The <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> welcomes your feedback on how the organisation performs and how it can improve its levels of service.</p>
<h3 id="customer-surveys">Customer surveys</h3>
<p>To enable customers to provide feedback, the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> issued a Customer Satisfaction Survey in Spring 2010 via the SPIRE export licensing database. An analysis of the results and feedback provided, including the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s response is available. You can <a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/10-1198-eco-customer-survey-analysis-2010.doc">download the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Customer Satisfaction Survey Report 2010.</a></p>
<p>In Spring 2009, the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> jointly commissioned an independent report with Trade Policy Unit with the International Trade Investment and Development Directorate of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. This study looked at compliance levels and awareness of export controls in the dual-use sector. Download a <a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/dual-use-study-2009.pdf">summary of the dual-use compliance study’s findings.</a></p>
<h3 id="other-ways-to-provide-feedback">Other ways to provide feedback</h3>
<p>The Export Control Advisory Committee provides a regular engagement forum for some of <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr>’s key stakeholders. It meets on a half yearly basis and provides an effective way of consulting with customers.</p>
<p>Alternatively the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> welcomes constructive comments which you can email to the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Awareness Team on <a href="mailto:web.comments@bis.gsi.gov.uk">web.comments@bis.gsi.gov.uk</a></p>
<h2 id="further-information">Further information</h2>
<h3 id="bis-eco-helpline">
<abbr title="the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills">BIS</abbr> <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Helpline</h3>
<p>020 7215 4594</p>
<div class="call-to-action">
<p><a rel="external" href="https://www.spire.bis.gov.uk">Apply for an export licence using SPIRE</a></p>
</div>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/eco-service-performance.pdf">Download the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Service and Performance Code (PDF, 127K)</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://blogs.bis.gov.uk/exportcontrol">Subscribe to the Export Control Organisation’s Notices to Exporters</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/export-control-organisation/eco-contact-details">Contact details for the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr></a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/global-issues">UK national security policy information</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="https://www.exportcontroldb.bis.gov.uk/eng/fox/sdb/SDBHOME">Export licensing decisions statistics</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.fco.gov.uk/en"><abbr title="Foreign and Commonwealth Office">FCO</abbr> work and services information</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.mod.uk/"><abbr title="Ministry of Defence">MOD</abbr> information</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.dfid.gov.uk/">Find out about the work of <abbr title="Department for International Development">DFID</abbr></a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.cesg.gov.uk/">CESG work and services information</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.decc.gov.uk/">Energy sector overview</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/index.htm"><abbr title="Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs ">HMRC</abbr> work and services information</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/10-1198-eco-customer-survey-analysis-2010.doc">Download the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Customer Satisfaction Survey Report 2010 (DOC, 943K)</a></p>
<p><a rel="external" href="http://www.bis.gov.uk/assets/biscore/eco/docs/dual-use-study-2009.pdf">Download the <abbr title="Export Control Organisation">ECO</abbr> Dual-Use Compliance Study Report 2009 (PDF, 151K)</a></p>
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