Final Rule on Civil Aviation Manufacturing Exports a Boost to Aerospace

    ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 14 /EMWNews/ -- A long-awaited

clarification of rules governing the export of civil aviation items, which

was finalized today, will be a shot in the arm for the aerospace industry

and American exports, AIA President and CEO Marion Blakey said.



    The State Department issued the final rule to eliminate ongoing

confusion over implementation of section 17(c) of the Export Administration

Act. While the act gave the Commerce Department export control jurisdiction

over civil aviation parts, it has been unclear which parts could still be

labeled "military" and subject to more stringent rules.



    Congressional attention to the matter, led by Reps. Don Manzullo and

Brad Sherman and the Congressional Export Control Working Group, helped

result in Thursday's move, Blakey said.



    "The administration and Congress have both demonstrated real leadership

on this matter," Blakey said. "Resolving this confusing issue will help

cement one of our industry's great strengths, our $60 billion foreign trade

surplus."



    Prior to the State Department's clarification, the line was blurred

between commercial aviation items that were regulated as civilian items by

the Commerce Department and those that had military applications that are

not allowed on civil aircraft. The latter are on the U.S. munitions list

and are subject to stringent export regulation.



    The new rule makes it clear to companies what export licenses, if any,

are required to sell items overseas and whether they can be used in civil

aviation.



    The move is the latest step in a string of efforts by the

administration to modernize the U.S. export control system. AIA has long

advocated for that goal, leading the Coalition for Security and

Competitiveness efforts pushing for improvements. The administration used

coalition recommendations as a basis for a slate of modernization

improvements earlier this year.



    Founded in 1919, the Aerospace Industries Association represents the

nation's leading manufacturers and suppliers of civil, military, and

business aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, space systems,

aircraft engines, materiel, and related components, equipment services, and

information technology.