Why export controls?

Export controls played a major role during the Cold War when they contributed to preventing the East Bloc from gaining access to Western technology. Many people are therefore of the opinion that export controls disappeared at the end of the Cold War, but that is far from the case.

Export controls have adjusted to the new security policy situation and are now focused on efforts to prevent the proliferation of WMD (weapons of mass destruction), i.e. nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. The terrorist attacks on the USA on 11th September, 2001 have underlined the importance of export controls.

Today, it is necessary to maintain controls on exports for the purpose of:

• Preventing exports of dual-use products, i.e. products of both civilian and military application, for the development, production and use of WMD.
• Preventing exports of military products to countries whose behaviour is a threat to international peace and security.
• Complying with UN, EU and other international organisations export restrictions (sanctions and embargoes) vis-a-vis specific countries with a view to changing the behaviour of these countries.

Export controls are also important for the business community. The reputation of Danish enterprises and decades of export efforts may suffer considerable harm if merely one single enterprise engages in exports that may jeopardise international peace and security.

Webcontent manager: Dorthe Gjedsted Robdrup