DualUseGütern

DualUseGütern are goods, software, and technologies that have legitimate civilian applications but can also be used to develop or enhance military capabilities or support illicit programs. The term is commonly used in policy discussions about export controls and global security, and in German contexts it is often read as Dual-Use Güter. The category covers items that are not exclusively military but may contribute to weapons development, surveillance, or other sensitive applications.

The regulatory framework for DualUseGütern is international and national. The core multilateral regime is the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies, which coordinates control lists and licensing guidelines among participating states. Individual jurisdictions implement their own laws, such as the United States' Export Administration Regulations (EAR) administered by BIS, the European Union's Dual-Use Regulation, and the United Kingdom's export controls following Brexit. Items on control lists typically require licenses for export, transfer, or re-export to certain destinations, end-users, or end-uses.

Classification systems organize DualUseGütern on control lists. In the United States, many items are assigned an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN); in the European Union, items are categorized with specific descriptors. Some items may fall under catch-all controls based on end-use and end-user risk, even if not explicitly listed. De minimis thresholds and re-export rules may also apply, creating exposure to restrictions via intermediate destinations or transfers.

Compliance and impact: Exporters screen customers, assess end-use and end-user, and obtain licenses when required. They maintain records and implement internal controls to mitigate legal and sanctions risk. The framework aims to balance security needs with the diffusion of scientific knowledge and legitimate trade in research, manufacturing, and technology sectors.