International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Addition of Russia

AGENCY:

Department of State.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Department of State is amending the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) to include Russia in the list of enumerated countries with respect to which it is the policy of the United States to deny licenses and other approvals for exports and/or imports of defense articles and defense services, except as otherwise provided. This action reflects a policy determination made by the Secretary of State.

DATES:

The rule is effective on March 18, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Director, Response Team, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, U.S. Department of State, telephone (202) 663-1282, or email DDTCCustomerService@state.gov. ATTN: Regulatory Change, ITAR § 126.1 Russia.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

On March 1, 2021, the Secretary of State determined pursuant to Section 306(a) of the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991 (“CBW Act”) that the Government of Russia used chemical weapons in violation of international law or lethal chemical weapons against its own nationals. Pursuant to this determination, the Department of State published Federal Register Notice “Determination Regarding Use of Chemical Weapons by Russia Under the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act of 1991” on March 18, 2021. In order to take additional steps to address such use of chemical weapons, the Department is amending ITAR § 126.1(d)(2) to include Russia in the list of countries subject to a policy of denial for exports of defense articles and defense services. An exception is being made to allow for case-by-case review of exports to Russia that support government space cooperation. In addition, an exception, valid for six months from the date of the Secretary of State's determination, is being made to allow for case-by-case review of exports to Russia when in support of commercial space launches. Further, the Department is amending ITAR § 126.1(a) to allow exporters to use the exemptions provided in ITAR § 126.4(a)(2) and (b)(2) for exports to Russia when in furtherance of government space cooperation.

Regulatory Analysis and Notices

Administrative Procedure Act

The Department of State is of the opinion that controlling the import and export of defense articles and services is a foreign affairs function of the United States Government and that rules implementing this function are exempt from sections 553 (rulemaking) and 554 (adjudications) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1). Since the Department is of the opinion that this rule is exempt from 5 U.S.C 553, it is the view of the Department that the provisions of Section 553(d) do not apply to this rulemaking.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

Since this rule is exempt from the notice-and-comment provisions of 5 U.S.C. 553(b), it does not require analysis under the Regulatory Flexibility Act.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

This rulemaking does not involve a mandate that will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 million or more in any year and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions are deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995.

Congressional Review Act

The Department does not believe this rulemaking is a major rule within the definition of 5 U.S.C. 804.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

This rulemaking will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this proposed amendment does not have sufficient federalism implications to require consultations or warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding intergovernmental consultation on Federal programs and activities do not apply to this rulemaking.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributed impacts, and equity). Because the scope of this rule implements a governmental policy limiting defense trade with a country, and does not impose additional regulatory requirements or obligations, the Department believes costs associated with this rule will be minimal. This rule has not been designated a “significant regulatory action” by the Office and Information and Regulatory Affairs under Executive Order 12866.

Executive Order 12988

The Department of State has reviewed this rulemaking in light of Executive Order 12988 to eliminate ambiguity, minimize litigation, establish clear legal standards, and reduce burden.

Executive Order 13175

The Department of State has determined that this rulemaking will not have tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law. Accordingly, Executive Order 13175 does not apply to this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

This rulemaking does not impose or revise any information collections subject to 44 U.S.C. chapter 35.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 126

• Arms and munitions
• Exports

For the reasons set forth above, title 22, chapter I, subchapter M, part 126 is amended as follows:

PART 126—GENERAL POLICIES AND PROVISIONS

1. The authority citation for part 126 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 22 U.S.C. 2752, 2778, 2780, 2791, and 2797; 22 U.S.C. 2651a; 22 U.S.C. 287c; Sec. 1225, Pub. L. 108-375; Sec. 7089, Pub. L. 111-117; Pub. L. 111-266; Sections 7045 and 7046, Pub. L. 112-74; E.O. 13637, 78 FR 16129.

2. Section 126.1 is amended by revising the second sentence in paragraph (a), revising the table in paragraph (d)(2), and adding paragraph (l) to read as follows: