UK’s export control unit stops site audits during coronavirus lockdown
The UK’s Export Control Joint Unit (‘ECJU’) said it will continue to process licences for items of military or dual use during the coronavirus lockdown but that ‘site audits will no longer take place’.
‘We have put in place business continuity measures to ensure that licensing continues. This includes technical assessments, end-use checks and reviewing applications against our strict licensing criteria,’ the ECJU said in a 20 March notice to exporters. ‘We recognise that it is essential that businesses continue to receive the authorisations required to export items of a military and dual use nature.’
‘The compliance/inspection programme will continue, although site audits will no longer take place,’ the notice explained. ‘We have now moved to remote audits as a means to meet legislative requirements. Those sites due to be inspected soon have already been engaged so that your inspector is able to determine an effective communication route.’
