USCIB joined more than 25 leading business associations to urge U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross to ensure that the public has adequate time to review and provide feedback on a proposed rulemaking regarding the review of controls for foundational technologies set forth in the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA).

The request comes in anticipation of the next round of rulemaking as part of the modernization of the export control regime through ECRA, which updated the process to address essential national security objectives. For the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) regarding emerging technologies in November, the administration initially allotted 30 days for review and comments, prompting a multi-industry response asking for an extension, which was granted.

“The preparation of industry input in response to the emerging technologies ANPRM provided a window into the complex dimensions of these proposed policy changes,” the associations wrote in a letter sent to Secretary Ross. “As we look to the next phase of this project, we request that BIS set the comment period for the foundational technologies ANPRM to 90 days to ensure our associations and our member companies have adequate time to review the notice and provide comprehensive feedback to address the policy concerns and technological complexities at issue.”

The Department of Commerce has been an engaged partner with industry since the process began in late 2018, and industry welcomes the opportunity to support the U.S. government in working towards these important national security objectives.