97-20415. Liberalization of Export Controls for Oscilloscopes (Including Certain Transient Recorders), Affected ECCNs: 3A202, 3A292, 3E001, 3E201, and 3E292  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 150 (Tuesday, August 5, 1997)]
    [Rules and Regulations]
    [Pages 42047-42050]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-20415]
    
    
    =======================================================================
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
    
    Bureau of Export Administration
    
    15 CFR Parts 738, 740, and 774
    
    [Docket No. 970703164-7164-01]
    RIN 0694-AB61
    
    
    Liberalization of Export Controls for Oscilloscopes (Including 
    Certain Transient Recorders), Affected ECCNs: 3A202, 3A292, 3E001, 
    3E201, and 3E292
    
    AGENCY: Bureau of Export Administration, Commerce.
    
    ACTION: Final rule.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Bureau of Export Administration maintains the Commerce 
    Control List (CCL, 15 CFR part 774), which appears in the Export 
    Administration Regulations (EAR). This rule revises the reason for 
    control for oscilloscopes (including certain transient recorders) from 
    NP Column 1 to NP Column 2, in the Commerce Country Chart (Supplement 
    No. 1 to 15 CFR part 738). In addition, revisions are made to NP Column 
    2 of the Commerce Country Chart, and Column [D:2] Nuclear of Country 
    Group D, to reflect that Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Comoros, Djibouti, 
    Micronesia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu have signed the 
    Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. This revision will substantially 
    reduce the paperwork burden on the public by decreasing the number of 
    license applications exporters and reexporters are required to submit 
    for oscilloscopes.
    
    EFFECTIVE DATE: August 6, 1997.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Chuchla, Office of Nuclear & 
    Missile Technology Controls, Telephone: (202) 482-4188.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Background
    
        In May of 1997, the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) agreed to remove 
    oscilloscopes from the Annex to the ``Nuclear-Related Dual-Use 
    Equipment, Materials, and Related Technology List'' (the Annex) 
    published by the International Atomic Energy Agency and adhered to by 
    the United States and other subscribing governments in the NSG.
        The items on the CCL that are subject to nuclear nonproliferation 
    controls are referred to as the Nuclear Referral List (NRL). The NRL 
    includes NSG-controlled items and other items subject to control for 
    nuclear non-proliferation reasons by the United States. This 
    Administration has ongoing concerns about the value and technical 
    significance of oscilloscopes in nuclear weapons testing; therefore, 
    the Administration has decided not to remove oscilloscopes from the 
    NRL. The U.S. proposed, and the NSG approved, a statement of NSG 
    members, commitment to preventing the use of oscilloscopes contrary to 
    the basic principle of non-proliferation. The members agreed to apply 
    available authority to ensure exports are not diverted or used contrary 
    to Annex Guidelines. The U.S., U.K., and Switzerland (the only 
    producers/exporters of the relevant oscilloscopes) agreed to retain 
    national export controls and to exercise vigilance on these items.
        Where a license was required for all non-NSG member countries (NP 
    Column 1 of the Commerce Country Chart, Supplement No. 1 to 15 CFR part 
    738) and countries that have been designated terrorist countries of 
    concern (AT Column 1), this rule revises the license requirements for 
    oscilloscopes (including transient recorders other than those 
    controlled by 3A002.a.5) and specially designed components therefor, in 
    that a license will only be required for nuclear countries of concern 
    (NP Column 2) and countries that have been designated terrorism-
    supporting countries (AT Column1).
        This final rule amends the CCL (15 CFR part 774) by removing ECCN 
    3A202 and creating a new ECCN 3A292 to accommodate the new nuclear 
    level of control (NP Column 2) for oscilloscopes (including transient 
    recorders other than those controlled by 3A002.a.5) and specially 
    designed components therefor. Also, a revision is made to the heading 
    and the Reason for Control sections of ECCN 3E201 to remove the 
    reference to ECCN 3A202 and to the heading and license requirement 
    sections of ECCN 3E001. In addition, this rule amends the CCL by 
    creating a new ECCN 3E292 to accommodate the unilateral technology 
    controls on oscilloscopes (including transient recorders other than 
    those controlled by 3A002.a.5) and specially designed components 
    therefor.
        Lastly, this rule will revise the Commerce Country Chart in 
    Supplement No. 1 to part 738 and Country Group D in Supplement No. 1 to 
    part 740 to reflect that Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Comoros, Djibouti, 
    Micronesia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu have become 
    signatories to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. Therefore, the 
    Commerce Country Chart is amended by removing the corresponding ``x'' 
    under the heading ``NP Column 2'' for these countries and Country Group 
    D is amended by removing the reference ``x'' under the heading ``[D:2] 
    Nuclear'' for the same countries.
        Although the Export Administration Act (EAA) expired on August 20, 
    1994, the President invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers 
    Act and continued in effect, to the extent permitted by law, the 
    provisions of the EAA and the EAR in Executive Order 12924 of August 
    19, 1994, as extended by the President's notice of August 15, 1995 and 
    August 14, 1996 (3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 298 (1997)).
    
    Rulemaking Requirements
    
        1. This final rule has been determined to be not significant for 
    purposes of Executive Order 12866.
        2. This rule involves collections of information subject to the 
    Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). This 
    collection has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget 
    under control number 0694-0088. The effect of this rule will decrease 
    license application requirements, thus decreasing the paperwork burden 
    on the public to the Department of Commerce. Notwithstanding any other 
    provision of law, no person is required to respond nor will a person be 
    subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of 
    information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act 
    unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB 
    Control Number.
        3. This rule does not contain policies with Federalism implications 
    sufficient to warrant preparation of a Federalism assessment under 
    Executive Order 12612.
        4. The provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 
    553) requiring notice of proposed rulemaking, the opportunity for 
    public participation, and a delay in effective
    
    [[Page 42048]]
    
    date, are inapplicable because this regulation involves a military and 
    foreign affairs function of the United States (see 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1)). 
    Further, no other law requires that a notice of proposed rulemaking and 
    an opportunity for public comment be given for this rule. Because a 
    notice of proposed rulemaking and an opportunity for public comment are 
    not required to be given for this rule by 5 U.S.C. 553, or by any other 
    law, the analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
    U.S.C. 601 et seq., are inapplicable.
        Therefore, this regulation is issued in final form. Although there 
    is no formal comment period, public comments on this regulation are 
    welcome on a continuing basis. Comments should be submitted to Sharron 
    Cook, Regulatory Policy Division, Office of Exporter Services, Bureau 
    of Export Administration, Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 273, 
    Washington, D.C. 20044.
    
    List of Subjects
    
    15 CFR Parts 738 and 774
    
        Exports, Foreign trade.
    
    15 CFR Part 740
    
        Administrative practice and procedure, Exports, Foreign trade, 
    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
    
        Accordingly, parts 738, 740, and 774 of the Export Administration 
    Regulations (15 CFR parts 730-799) are amended as follows:
        The authority citation for 15 CFR part 738 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 50 U.S.C. app. 2401 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 
    10 U.S.C. 720; 10 U.S.C. 7430(e); 18 U.S.C. 2510 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 
    287c; 22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6004; Sec. 201, Pub. L. 104-
    58, 109 Stat. 557 (30 U.S.C. 185(s)); 30 U.S.C. 185(u); 42 U.S.C. 
    2139a; 42 U.S.C. 6212; 43 U.S.C. 1354; 46 U.S.C. app. 466c; 50 
    U.S.C. app. 5; E.O. 12924, 59 FR 43437, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp. 917 
    (1995); E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 228 (1997); 
    Notice of August 15, 1995, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp. 501 (1996); Notice of 
    August 14, 1996, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 298 (1997).
    
        2. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 740 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 50 U.S.C. app. 2401 et seq.; 50 1701 et seq.; E.O. 
    12924, 59 FR 43437, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 917; E.O. 13026, 61 FR 
    58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 228 (1997); Notice of August 15, 1995, 3 
    CFR, 1995 Comp. 501 (1996); Notice of August 14, 1996, 3 CFR, 1996 
    Comp. 298 (1997).
    
        3. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 774 continues to read as 
    follows:
    
        Authority: 50 U.S.C. app. 2401 et seq.; 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.; 
    10 U.S.C. 7420; 10 U.S.C. 7430(e); 18 U.S.C. 2510 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 
    287c; 22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.; 22 U.S.C. 6004; Sec. 201, Pub. L. 104-
    58, 109 Stat. 557 (30 U.S.C. 185(s)); 30 U.S.C. 185(u); 42 U.S.C. 
    2139a; 42 U.S.C. 6212; 43 U.S.C. 1354; 46 U.S.C. app. 466c; 50 
    U.S.C. app. 5; E.O. 12924, 59 FR 43437, 3 CFR, 1994 Comp., p. 917; 
    E.O. 13026, 61 FR 58767, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 228 (1997); Notice of 
    August 15, 1995, 3 CFR, 1995 Comp. 501 (1996); Notice of August 14, 
    1996, 3 CFR, 1996 Comp. 298 (1997).
    
    PART 738--[AMENDED]
    
        4. Supplement No. 1 to part 738, Commerce Country Chart, is amended 
    by removing the corresponding ``x'' under the heading ``NP Column 2'' 
    for the following countries: Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Comoros, 
    Djibouti, Micronesia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Vanuatu.
    
    PART 740--[AMENDED]
    
        5. In Supplement No. 1 to part 740, Country Group D, is revised to 
    read as follows:
    Supplement No. 1 to Part 740
    * * * * *
    
                                                 Country Group D                                            
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           [D: 1]  National                      [D: 3]  Chemical   [D: 4]  Missile 
                   Country                     Security       [D: 2]  Nuclear     &  Biological        Technology   
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Afghanistan.........................                                                       X                    
    Albania.............................                 X                                                          
    Algeria.............................                                                                            
    Andorra.............................                                                                            
    Angola..............................                                                                            
    Armenia.............................                 X                                     X                    
    Azerbaijan..........................                 X                                     X                    
    Bahrain.............................                                                       X                  X 
    Belarus.............................                 X                                     X                    
    Bulgaria............................                 X                                     X                    
    Burma...............................                                                       X                    
    Cambodia............................                 X                                                          
    China (PRC).........................                 X                                     X               X\1\ 
    Comoros.............................                                                                            
    Cuba................................                                    X                  X                    
    Djibouti............................                                                                            
    Egypt...............................                                                       X                  X 
    Estonia.............................                 X                                                          
    Georgia.............................                 X                                     X                    
    India...............................                                    X                  X               X\1\ 
    Iran................................                                    X                  X               X\1\ 
    Iraq................................                                    X                  X                  X 
    Israel..............................                                    X                  X                  X 
    Jordan..............................                                                       X                  X 
    Kazakhstan..........................                 X                                     X                    
    Korea, North........................                                    X                  X               X\1\ 
    Kuwait..............................                                                       X                  X 
    Kyrgyzstan..........................                 X                                     X                    
    Laos................................                 X                                                          
    Latvia..............................                 X                                                          
    Lebanon.............................                                                       X                  X 
    Libya...............................                                    X                  X                  X 
    
    [[Page 42049]]
    
                                                                                                                    
    Lithuania...........................                 X                                                          
    Micronesia, Federated States of.....                                                                            
    Moldova.............................                 X                                     X                    
    Mongolia............................                 X                                     X                    
    Oman................................                                                       X                  X 
    Pakistan............................                                    X                  X               X\1\ 
    Qatar...............................                                                       X                  X 
    Romania.............................                 X                                                          
    Russia..............................                 X                                     X                    
    Saudi Arabia........................                                                       X                  X 
    Syria...............................                                                       X                  X 
    Taiwan..............................                                                       X                    
    Tajikstan...........................                 X                                     X                    
    Turkmenistan........................                 X                                     X                    
    Ukraine.............................                 X                                     X                    
    United Arab Emirates................                                                       X                  X 
    Uzbekistan..........................                 X                                     X                    
    Vanuatu.............................                                                                            
    Vietnam.............................                 X                                     X                    
    Yemen...............................                                                       X                 X  
    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \1\ Certain Missile Technology projects have been identified in the following countries:                        
      China--M Series Missiles CSS-2.                                                                               
      India--Agni, Prithvi, SLV-3 Satellite Launch Vehicle, Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle (ASLV), Polar        
      Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geostationary Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).                               
      Iran--Surface-to-Surface Missile Project, Scud Development Project.                                           
      Korea, North--No Dong I, Scud Development Project.                                                            
      Pakistan--Half Series Missiles.                                                                               
    
    * * * * *
    
    PART 774--[AMENDED]
    
        6. In Supplement No. 1 to part 774 (the Commerce Control List), 
    Category 3 (Electronics Design, Development and Production) is amended 
    by:
        a. Removing ECCN 3A202;
        b. Adding a newly created ECCN 3A292, to be placed after ECCN 3A233 
    on the CCL;
        c. Revising the Heading and the License Requirement section of ECCN 
    3E001 and the Heading of 3E201;
        d. Adding a newly created ECCN 3E292, to be placed after ECCN 
    3E201, to read as follows:
    
    Category 3--Electronics Design, Development and Production
    
    A. Equipment, Assemblies and Components
    * * * * *
    
    3A292  Oscilloscopes and transient recorders other than those 
    controlled by 3A002.a.5, and specially designed components therefor
    
    License Requirements
    
    Reason for Control: NP, AT
    
                                                                            
                    Control(s)                          Country Chart       
                                                                            
    NP applies to entire entry................  NP Column 2                 
    AT applies to entire entry................  AT Column 1                 
                                                                            
    
    License Exceptions
    
    LVS: N/A
    GBS: N/A
    CIV: N/A
    
    List of Items Controlled
    
    Unit: Number
    Related Controls: N/A
    Related Definitions: (a) Specially designed components specified in 
    this item are the following, for analog oscilloscopes:
        1. Plug-in units;
        2. External amplifiers;
        3. Pre-amplifiers;
        4. Sampling devices;
        5. Cathode ray tubes.
        (b) For the purpose this entry, ``Bandwidth'' is defined as the 
    band of frequencies over which the deflection on the cathode ray 
    tube does not fall below 70.7% of that at the maximum point measured 
    with a constant input voltage to the oscilloscope amplifier.
    
    Items
    
        a. Non-modular analog oscilloscopes having a bandwidth of 1 GHz 
    or greater;
        b. Modular analog oscilloscope systems having either of the 
    following characteristics:
        b.1. A mainframe with a bandwidth of 1 GHz or greater; or
        b.2. Plug-in modules with an individual bandwidth of 4 GHz or 
    greater;
        c. Analog sampling oscilloscopes for the analysis of recurring 
    phenomena with an effective bandwidth greater than 4 GHz;
        d. Digital oscilloscopes and transient recorders using analog-
    to-digital conversion techniques, capable of storing transients by 
    sequentially sampling one-shot input signals at successive intervals 
    of less than 1 ns (greater than 1 giga-sample per second), 
    digitizing to 8 bits or greater resolution, and storing 256 or more 
    samples.
    * * * * *
    
    3E001  ``Technology'' according to the General Technology Note for 
    the ``development'' or ``production'' of items controlled by 3A 
    (except 3A292, 3A980, 3A981, and 3A992 to 3A994), 3B (except 3B991) 
    or 3C
    
    License Requirements
    
    Reason for Control: NS, MT, NP, AT
    
                                                                            
                    Control(s)                          Country Chart       
                                                                            
    NS applies to ``technology'' for items      NS Column 1                 
     controlled by 3A001, 3A002, 3B001 to                                   
     3B008 or 3C001 to 3C004.                                               
    MT applies to ``technology'' for equipment  MT Column 1                 
     controlled by 3A001 or 3A101 for MT                                    
     reasons.                                                               
    NP applies to ``technology'' for equipment  NP Column 1                 
     controlled by 3A001, 3A201, 3A225 to                                   
     3A233 for NP reasons.                                                  
    AT applies to entire entry................  AT Column 1                 
                                                                            
    
    * * * * *
    
    [[Page 42050]]
    
    3E201  ``Technology'' according to the General Technology Note for 
    the ``use'' of items controlled by 3A001.e.2, e.3, and e.5, 3A201, 
    3A225 to 3A233
    
    * * * * *
    
    3E292  ``Technology'' according to the General Technology Note for 
    the ``development'', ``production'', or ``use'' of items controlled 
    by 3A292
    
    License Requirements
    
    Reason for Control: NP, AT
    
                                                                            
                    Control(s)                          Country Chart       
                                                                            
    NP applies to entire entry................  NP Column 2                 
    AT applies to entire entry................  AT Column 1                 
                                                                            
    
    License Exceptions
    
    CIV: N/A
    TSR: N/A
    
    List of Items Controlled
    
    Unit: N/A
    Related Controls: N/A
    Related Definitions: N/A
    Items: The list of items controlled is contained in the ECCN heading.
    * * * * *
        Dated: July 29, 1997.
    Iain S. Baird,
    Acting Assistant Secretary for Export Administration.
    [FR Doc. 97-20415 Filed 8-4-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 3510-33-P
    
    
    

Document Information

Effective Date:
8/6/1997
Published:
08/05/1997
Department:
Export Administration Bureau
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Final rule.
Document Number:
97-20415
Dates:
August 6, 1997.
Pages:
42047-42050 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. 970703164-7164-01
RINs:
0694-AB61: Oscilloscopes: ECCNs 3A202 and 3E201
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/0694-AB61/oscilloscopes-eccns-3a202-and-3e201
PDF File:
97-20415.pdf
CFR: (3)
15 CFR 738
15 CFR 740
15 CFR 774