[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]


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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.

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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