EU removes Russia from GEAs’ scope

On 3 May, the EU Commission announced that ‘In light of Russia’s illegal attack on Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence and the respective threats to the Union’s essential security interests, the Union [has] decided to impose further restrictions on exports of dual-use goods and technology and on the provision of related services.’

It noted that since the invasion of Ukraine, the EU had imposed several new restrictions on exports to Russia, including of dual-use goods and technology and on the provision of related services, on navigation goods and technologies, and on equipment, technology and services for Russia’s energy industry (excluding nuclear industry and the downstream sector of energy transport).

It noted that the EU export control regulation (2021/821) includes ‘eight Union general export authorisations [GEAs] for exports of certain items to certain destinations under specific conditions and requirements,’ and that of these, ‘Currently, three Union general export authorisations can be used for exports to Russia: EU003 (re-export of items after repair or replacement in the EU), EU004 (export of items for fairs or exhibitions), EU005 (exports of telecommunications equipment).’

But it found that ‘In view of the Union’s actions against Russia, it is appropriate to remove Russia from the destination lists of Union general export authorisations Nos EU003, EU004 and EU005 in order to prevent Russia from gaining access to critical technologies and dual-use items.’

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32022R0699&from=EN