First activities of the new ESARDA Export Control Working Group

Export control of dual-use goods is an important barrier against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The new ESARDA working group on export controls was launched on October 15-16, 2012, following the recommendations of the Reflection Group 2010 and the interest arisen within the VTM WG, where a sub-Group on export control had been established in 2011, with a positive feed-back and paving the way to the new WG. ESARDA EXP-WG has no political mandate, but compared to other groups dealing with the subject, presents the added value of including various types of contributors and stake-holders with different views and needs related to export control. The first meetings were attended by nuclear regulators; suppliers and operators; R&D organisations; universities; NGOS; IAEA and European Commission (JRC and ENER). The planned research subjects encompass exchanges of experience on implementation issues, such as Intra-EU transfers or intangible technology transfers, as well as dual-use technology and items. The paper summarises the background of the new WG, develops on the topics discussed in the first meetings and presents a view of the next steps.JRC.E.8-Nuclear securit