Export of Metal AM Technologies to be Controlled

The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), a government agency responsible for export control and treaty compliance, has announced a new ruling regarding the export of advanced manufacturing technologies, specifically focusing on metal additive manufacturing equipment and software.

In its ruling titled “Commerce Control List Additions and Revisions; Implementation of Controls on Advanced Technologies Consistent with Controls Implemented by International Partners,” the BIS specifies that a license will now be required for the export or re-export of additive manufacturing machines designed for metal or metal alloys, as well as for “specially designed components” associated with these machines.

The new licensing requirements also extend to software used for the “development, production, operation, or maintenance” of metal additive manufacturing machines.

The ruling highlights the importance of metal additive manufacturing equipment, stating, “Today, metal AM equipment is utilized to create parts and components for military devices, including aircraft, missiles, and propulsion systems.” It adds that next-generation metal AM equipment, with enhanced precision and control, will facilitate substantial improvements in part performance and advanced military capabilities that are not currently achievable with existing standard metal AM technologies.