On October 6, 2020, the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) published in the Federal Register a final rule [Docket No. 200921-0252] that amends the Export Administration Regulations to impose a license requirement on exports and reexports of water cannon systems for riot or crowd control and parts and components specially designed therefor. This action furthers US foreign policy interests for crime control (CC) reasons and is intended to address the spread of violations of human rights globally by enabling the government to review covered exports and reexports worldwide, except to NATO member countries and certain other military allies. This change will also enable the Government to more effectively control exports of water cannons to the Hong Kong Police Force, consistent with a 2019 Congressional mandate to prohibit the licensing of such transactions. This rule also makes conforming amendments.
