site.btaAmendments to Defence Products Export Control Act Pass on Second Reading

The National Assembly adopted amendments to the Defence-Related Products and Dual-Use Items and Technologies Export Control Act on second reading on Friday. The changes, moved by the Council of Ministers, entitle the minister of economy and industry to amend and/or supplement, suspend or revoke certificates of import, export and transfer of defence-related products. The same applies to certificates of import of dual-use items and technologies, certificates of export and transfer registration and certificates for brokering activities involving dual-use items and technologies.

The minister of economy and industry may suspend a registration certificate if the conditions set out in the certificate have not been fulfilled or have been violated; if changes have occurred in the circumstances in which the registration certificate was issued and the registered person no longer meets the reliability and economic stability requirements; or in the event of non-fulfilment of an obligation established by decision of a competent state authority as provided for in this law.

The minister of economy and industry may suspend a registration certificate for up to six months, during which time the activity may not be performed until the violation of the requirements is remedied. The suspended certificate may be reinstated before the deadline if the circumstances warranting the suspension have ceased to exist. If the minister of economy and industry is not notified in writing by the registered person that the irregularities warranting the suspension have been corrected, the registration will be revoked and the certificate will be annulled.

The amendments were voted into law without debate. They had passed on first reading on June 22, 2023.