For people making equipment for the James Webb Space Telescope, the January 10, 2017 Commerce rule draws a boundary inside the supply chain. It adds the telescope itself to export classification 9A004.u and specially designed parts, components, accessories and attachments to 9A004.v, subject to exclusions. Being associated with the same scientific project does not put every supplied item in the same entry. [2016-31755]

The component provision excludes items controlled on the U.S. Munitions List, microelectronic circuits, equipment described in 7A004 or 7A104, and items described in classifications using space qualification as a control criterion. Those limits matter to the people preparing specifications and shipment records: the telescope's name cannot substitute for identifying what a particular component actually is. [2016-31755]

State's companion rule makes the other side of the change explicit. Its revised Category XV note says that the Webb telescope is subject to Commerce's Export Administration Regulations. State also narrows its active vibration suppression provision by specifying specially designed associated control electronics. These are particular classification decisions, not a finding that all space hardware has become ordinary commercial equipment. [2016-31751]

Both agencies published their rules on January 10 with January 15 effectiveness. Together they describe one coordinated reform, not independent evidence of benefits for workers or suppliers. Commerce's new Webb entries retain national-security and anti-terrorism controls. The concrete change is a more specified route through export classification; these records do not measure shorter lead times, added orders or employment gains. [2016-31751][2016-31755]

Source documents

  1. International Traffic in Arms Regulations: Revision of U.S. Munitions List Category XVhttps://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-10/html/2016-31751.htm
  2. Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR): Control of Spacecraft Systems and Related Items the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control Under the United States Munitions List (USML)https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2017-01-10/html/2016-31755.htm