The Singapore government has amended its list of strategic goods and technology that are controlled for export from or transit through Singapore.  The amendments are implemented in the Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2020 (SGCO 2020) which will come into effect from 16 November 2020.  The SGCO 2020 replaces its 2019 version.

Goods and technology are ‘strategic’ if they are capable of military use or dual use (i.e., both military and non-military use).  The SGCO 2020 brings Singapore’s strategic goods control list up-to-date with the 2019 Wassenaar Arrangement’s Munitions List and the 2019 European Union’s List of Dual-Use Items.  The Wassenaar Arrangement is an export control regime among more than 40 member countries focused on preventing accumulations of conventional weapons and dual-use goods and technology.  The 2019 European Union’s List of Dual-Use Items is based on the Wassenaar Arrangement as well as the Australia Group, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and the Missile Technology Control Regime multilateral export control regimes.  Singapore is not a member of those regimes but routinely updates its strategic goods control list to remain consistent with them.

The SGCO 2020 puts in place new controls on certain strategic goods and makes editorial changes for clarity and consistency, including revising definitions and recategorising the codes of certain military-use goods.  The amendments to the SGCO 2020 affect a range of military and dual-use goods, including those under the following categories:

1. telecommunications and information security;
2. computers;
3. navigation and avionics;
4. aerospace;
5. munition;
6. special materials and related equipment;
7. sensors and lasers;
8. material processing;
9. electronics; and
10. nuclear materials, facilities and equipment.

The Strategic Goods (Control) Act requires a permit to export, tranship, bring in transit or broker the strategic goods and technology listed in the SGCO 2020.  The SGCO 2020 does not change the scope of the controls that apply to strategic goods and technology.

For More Information

OrionW regularly advises clients on export control matters.  For more information about the Strategic Goods Control Act, the SGCO 2020 or other export control matters, or if you have questions about this article, please contact us at info@orionw.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for general public information only and does not constitute legal advice.

‍