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The General Court Dismissed Claim for Damages Relating to the EU’s Targeted Iran Sanctions

The General Court has dismissed a claim for damages brought by Mahmoud Jannatian based on his erroneous listing on the EU’s targeted Iran sanctions. Mr. Jannatian was originally listed in 2010 because of his role as Deputy Head of the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, when he had not held that role since 2007. As … Continue Reading

EU Extends Egypt Sanctions

By Trade Practitioner on April 12, 2016 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa

The EU has extended its targeted sanctions relating to Egypt for another year. The restrictive measures, now in place until 22 March 2017, impose asset freezes on 19 individuals subject to judicial proceedings in Egypt for their involvement in the misappropriation of state funds.… Continue Reading

Notice to Remaining Individuals Subject to Human Right Sanctions in Iran

By Trade Practitioner on April 12, 2016 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran, Middle East & North Africa

The EU sanctions relating to human rights concerns in Iran did not fall under the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and so were not part of the group of sanctions lifted in January this year. As such, the EU Council have now released a notice informing the 20 individuals that are subject to human … Continue Reading

The Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice Upheld the General Court’s Decision on the National Iranian Oil Company

By Trade Practitioner on April 12, 2016 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran

The National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) has lost an appeal to the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Justice to set aside the General Court’s decision not to annul its sanctions listing. NIOC was originally added to the Iranian sanctions list in 2012, on the premise it is a state owned entity that provides … Continue Reading

EU Powers Sent Letter to UNSC over Iranian Missile Launches

By Trade Practitioner on April 12, 2016 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, France, Germany, Iran, United Kingdom

The UK, along with France, Germany and the US have criticised Iran for its recent missiles tests. In a joint letter to Spain’s UN ambassador and UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the group of countries accused Iran of defying a UN Security Council resolution by launching nuclear-capable missiles. The tests have reignited discussions over EU and US sanctions. The situation … Continue Reading

The EU Reviewed its Current Sanctions Against Zimbabwe

By Trade Practitioner on April 12, 2016 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa

Following the annual review of the EU’s sanctions against Zimbabwe, restrictive measures against 78 individuals and eight entities for whom sanctions had previously been suspended, have now been lifted. The EU Council renewed the remaining sanctions for an additional year; these will now remain in place until 20 February 2017. The measures include an asset freeze and travel ban … Continue Reading

Electrify Africa Act of 2015 Set to Become US Law: Will Your Project be Prioritized?

By Trade Practitioner on February 9, 2016 Posted in Middle East & North Africa, Trade Policy & Market Access

Over 600 million people – 70% of the population in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) – lack access to electricity, stifling social and economic development. The US Congress recently passed the Electrify Africa Act of 2015, a bipartisan measure that President Obama will soon sign into law. The Act is designed to encourage US and international development organizations to … Continue Reading

Trade Talk – Week in Review (1-5 February 2016)

By Trade Practitioner on February 9, 2016 Posted in Customs, Middle East & North Africa, Trade Policy & Market Access

TPP – Agreement Signed; Warnings of a Slow Congressional Process. After the Thursday signing ceremony in Auckland, New Zealand, Ambassador Froman said the United States is developing a “full implementation plan” to make sure developing countries, such as Vietnam, uphold their obligations. At a Tuesday meeting with President Obama, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) … Continue Reading

Trade Talk – Week in Review (18-22 January 2016)

By Trade Practitioner on January 27, 2016 Posted in Customs, Iran, Russia, Trade Policy & Market Access, Ukraine

The Senate was in session last week, while the House of Representatives (“the House”) remained in recess in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday. Implementation Day of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran took effect, as did a prisoner swap last week. Washington’s attention then quickly shifted to an impending historic … Continue Reading

Trade Talk – Week in Review (4-8 January 2016)

By Trade Practitioner on January 11, 2016 Posted in Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran, Trade Policy & Market Access, US

The House of Representatives reconvened last Tuesday in Washington. The Senate is in session today. President Barack Obama will address a joint session of Congress tomorrow when he gives the annual State of the Union. Iran – Obama Administration Stays the Course. Lawmakers continue to advocate for new sanctions to be imposed on Iran for … Continue Reading

Multiple Individuals Faced Criminal Penalties for Export Violations

By Trade Practitioner on November 19, 2015 Posted in Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran, Middle East & North Africa, Russia, US

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the convictions of Alexander Posobilov, Shavkat Abdullaev and Anastasia Diatlova for conspiring to export, and illegally exporting, controlled microelectronics to Russia in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) and the Arms Export Control Act (AECA). Separately, the DOJ also announced the sentencing of Mozaffar Khazaee … Continue Reading

British Citizen Extradited to US for Alleged Export Violations

By Trade Practitioner on November 19, 2015 Posted in Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria, United Kingdom, US

A British citizen was extradited from the UK to the US in connection with charges that he conspired with his brother and an American to illegally export lab equipment from the US to Syria. The conspirants allegedly prepared invoices that undervalued and mislabelled the lab equipment, which included industrial engines, gas masks and chemical warfare … Continue Reading

EU Amends Economic Sanctions against Guinea, Moldova, Yemen, and Zimbabwe

By Trade Practitioner on November 19, 2015 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa

The Council of the European Union (the “Council”) has issued Council Decisions amending sanctions regimes in force with respect to Guinea, Moldova, Yemen and Zimbabwe. See Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1923 (Guinea), Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1925 (Moldova), Council Implementing Decision (CFSP) 2015/1927 (Yemen) and Council Decision (CFSP) 2015/1924 (Zimbabwe), inter alia, amending the list of individuals … Continue Reading

Iran Nuclear Deal Update

By Trade Practitioner on October 23, 2015 Posted in EU, Iran, Middle East & North Africa, Trade Policy & Market Access, US

Adoption Day of the JCPOA occurred on 18 October 2015. On Adoption Day, the US took a number of steps to prepare for the implementation of its JCPOA obligations, including the US State Department’s issuance of waivers of certain statutory sanctions contingent on the JCPOA’s Implementation Day. Further information on Adoption Day can be found … Continue Reading

Liberia

By Trade Practitioner on October 23, 2015 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Middle East & North Africa

Council Regulation (EC) No 872/2004 imposing financial sanctions against Liberia has been repealed pursuant to Council Regulation (EU) 2015/1776. Consequently, as from the 6 October 2015, an asset freeze is no longer in force against the individuals listed.… Continue Reading

Iran

By Trade Practitioner on October 23, 2015 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran

On 18 October 2015, the Parties to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) welcomed the Adoption Day of Agreement related to the Iranian nuclear programme, where Iran will now start implementing all of its nuclear-related commitments. Meanwhile, the EU adopted the legislative framework to lift all of its nuclear-related economic and financial sanctions, which … Continue Reading

UK Updates FAQs on Business with Iran

By Trade Practitioner on September 1, 2015 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran, Trade Policy & Market Access, United Kingdom

On 2 September, the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office updated its FAQs on conducting business with Iran further to the adoption of the JCPOA. In particular, the FAQs address the potential impact of the deal for businesses and the support which the UK government will provide to businesses seeking opportunities in Iran. Per a British … Continue Reading

France Issues Guidance on Iran Sanctions

By Trade Practitioner on September 1, 2015 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, France, Iran, Trade Policy & Market Access

In order to assist organisations operating within the EU sanctions regime concerning Iran, the French Ministère des Finances issued guidance that includes a comprehensive table detailing that the Iran sanctions will gradually phase out from the Implementation Date. The ministry notes however that existing sanctions remain unchanged until then.… Continue Reading

Iran

By Trade Practitioner on August 1, 2015 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Iran, Trade Policy & Market Access

Following the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) (reported in our previous blog post) the EU adopted the first legal acts implementing the sanctions relief, permitting shipment of certain nuclear-related equipment out of Iran and the modification of certain nuclear plants in Iran, along with the activities to enable Iran to satisfy certain commitments in … Continue Reading

Cooperation on Dual-Use Items with Jordan and Kazakhstan

By Trade Practitioner on August 1, 2015 Posted in EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, Germany, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Trade Policy & Market Access

The German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (“BAFA”) has been charged, since 1 January 2014, with control over the outreach projects with Jordan and Kazakhstan, directed at enhancing their export control systems for dual-use items. The aim of this project is to reduce the risk of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, … Continue Reading

Iran Agreement

By Trade Practitioner on July 1, 2015 Posted in China, EU, Europe & Central Asia, Export Controls & Sanctions, France, Germany, Iran, Russia, Trade Policy & Market Access, United Kingdom, US

On Tuesday, 14 July 2015, the E3/EU+3 (China, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States, with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) and the Islamic Republic of Iran agreed to a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to … Continue Reading

Sanctions in Respect of the Situation in Syria Extended

By Trade Practitioner on July 1, 2015 Posted in EU, Export Controls & Sanctions, Syria

The sanctions in place against Syria were extended by the European Council for a further year, until 1 June 2016. These sanctions impose asset freezes on a number of individuals and impose a range of trade prohibitions. Council Decision 2015/837.… Continue Reading