IMPORTANT UPDATE TO EU DUAL-USE REGULATION
The EU has issued an important update to its Dual-Use Regulation, tightening controls on certain high-tech goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes. This move comes at a time when global cooperation on export controls has weakened, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To avoid fragmented national rules, the EU has now pulled many Member States’ individual measures into one common EU list.
The update introduces a new group of controlled items – the so-called “500-series” – covering advanced chips, semiconductor-manufacturing equipment, cryogenic cooling technologies and certain additive-manufacturing tools. These items are seen as strategically sensitive because of their role in next-generation computing, artificial intelligence and defence-related applications.
The UK plans to mirror these measures by mid-December, signalling close alignment among like-minded partners even when international forums cannot reach consensus.
For European traders and logistics operators, the main takeaway is simple: more products may now require export licences, and companies will need to review classifications and compliance procedures. The update aims to provide clearer, more harmonised rules across the EU – but it also raises expectations on businesses to understand whether their goods are caught by the new controls.