Enforcement & Investigations Archives

US: Export Controls Enforcement in 2024: A Fireside Chat with U.S. Assistant Secretary Matthew S. Axelrod

December 13, 2023 By Anna Marie Discutido (Canada) 2 Mins Read

Please join Baker McKenzie and ICPA for a fireside chat with Assistant Secretary Axelrod (U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security) where he will share his insights on what to expect in the year ahead for export enforcement. Assistant Secretary Axelrod will provide his perspectives on Bureau of Industry and Security priorities and the multilateral enforcement framework that is emerging globally. At a time when export enforcement priorities are changing rapidly following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…

2023 Global Year-End Review of Import/Export & Trade Compliance Developments Conference

November 7, 2023 By John McKenzie (USA) and Alison J. Stafford Powell (USA) 1 Min Read

In keeping with tradition, we are pleased to invite you to our annual Global Year-End Review of Import/Export & Trade Compliance Developments Conference to be held between December 4-7. The conference will provide valuable insights on the latest developments, challenges and opportunities in the ever-changing landscape of international trade.We will kick off the conference with an in-person networking session and panel discussion on December 4 on the pressing topic of “Navigating Trade Compliance Amidst Geopolitical Disruptions…

International: TMT Talk Podcast Series – Latest Episode – ESG – Key issues and developments for global supply chains for the TMT sector

August 7, 2021 By Sharon Byrne (UK), Raffaele Giarda (Italy), Adrian Lawrence (Australia), Aleesha Fowler (USA), Douglas Sanders (USA) and Graham Stuart (UK) 1 Min Read

Baker McKenzie’s Global Compliance News Blog published “International: TMT Talk Podcast Series – Latest Episode – ESG – Key issues and developments for global supply chains for the TMT sector,” which can be viewed here.

China: Decoding the New Chinese Export Control Law

July 9, 2021 By Di Wu and Weng Keong Kok 1 Min Read

Baker McKenzie’s Global Compliance News Blog published “China: Decoding the New Chinese Export Control Law,” which can be viewed here.

BIS amends the EAR to reflect the UAE’s termination of Its participation in the Arab League Boycott of Israel

June 28, 2021 By Janet K. Kim (USA) and Lise S. Test (USA) 1 Min Read

Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions & Export Controls Update Blog published “BIS Amends the EAR to Reflect the UAE’s Termination of Its Participation in the Arab League Boycott of Israel,” which can be viewed here.

EU introduces sector-based economic sanctions on Belarus

June 25, 2021 By Andrew Rose (UK) and Ben Smith (UK) 3 Mins Read

Following coordinated designations of certain Belarusian individuals and entities earlier this week (see our previous post here), the EU has announced that further sector-based economic sanctions will come into force on 25 June 2021. The restrictions are implemented by Council Regulation (EU) 2021/1030 (the “Regulation“), which amends Regulation (EC) No 765/2006. The new sanctions target a broad range of technology and software, dual-use goods and technology, tobacco, petroleum and potash products, and financial services. The prohibitions apply regardless of…

US – OFAC issues COVID-19-related General licenses for Syria, Venezuela, and Iran

June 25, 2021 By Lise S. Test (USA), Iris Zhang (USA) and Kerry B. Contini (USA) 2 Mins Read

On June 17, 2021, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued three pandemic-related general licenses (“GLs“) authorizing certain transactions and activities through June 16, 2022, involving Syria, Venezuela, Iran, or certain blocked entities in these countries. The new GLs are Syria General License No. 21, Venezuela General License No. 39, and Iran General License N, and they authorize certain transactions and activities related to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of COVID-19 (including research or…

Canada imposes sanctions against listed persons in Belarus

June 25, 2021 By Paul D. Burns, Brian Cacic and Jacqueline Rotondi (Canada) 2 Mins Read

Effective June 21, 2021, the Government of Canada imposed new sanctions against 17 individuals and 5 entities under the Special Economic Measures (Belarus) Regulations (the “Regulations”). The sanctions were imposed in response to alleged systemic human rights violations and the May 23, 2021 diversion, by the Belarusian regime, of Ryanair Flight 4978 from its planned course in order to land in Minsk. The imposition of sanctions by the Government of Canada was taken in coordination with the…

US – CBP issues Withhold Release Order (WRO)

June 24, 2021 By Stuart P. Seidel 1 Min Read

On June 24, 2021, the White House announced that US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a Withhold Release Order (WRO) on silica-based products made by Hoshine Silicon Industry Co., Ltd., a company located in Xinjiang, and its subsidiaries. This WRO is based on information reasonably indicating that Hoshine used forced labor to manufacture silica-based products. As a result, personnel at all U.S. ports of entry have been instructed to immediately begin detaining shipments…

US – Labor updates list of goods produced by child labor or forced labor

June 24, 2021 By Stuart P. Seidel 1 Min Read

On June 23, 2021, the Department of Labor published in the Federal Register a notice announcing public availability of an updated list of goods—along with countries of origin—that the Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) has reason to believe are produced by child labor or forced labor in violation of international standards (the List). ILAB is required to develop and make available to the public the List pursuant to the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act…