A single agency would soon handle all applications for export licenses in the US, President Barack Obama said as he laid down his motive of streamlining the cumbersome and time consuming procedure across multiple agencies.
"Going forward, all agencies will transition to a single IT system, making it easier for exporters to seek licenses and ensuring that the government has the full information needed to make informed decision," Obama said in a video message to the Department of Commerce Annual Export Controls Update Conference.
Obama said he plans to sign an Executive Order that creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center to coordinate and strengthen our enforcement efforts and eliminate gaps and duplication across all relevant departments and agencies.
"In the past, there was a lot of confusion about when a license was required. It depended on which agency you asked. Now, we will have a single set of licensing policies that will apply to each tier of control, bringing clarity and consistency across our system," he said.
He said the these reforms will focus the resources on the threats that matter most, and help the administration work more effectively with its allies in the field.
In a statement the White House said under the approach outlined by the President, agencies will apply new criteria for determining what items need to be controlled and a common set of policies for determining when an export license is required.
"The control list criteria are based on transparent rules, which will reduce the uncertainty faced by our Allies, US industry and its foreign partners, and will allow the government to erect higher walls around the most sensitive items in order to enhance national security," it said.
The White House said the existing two list would be split into three tiers. Items in the highest tier are those that provide a critical military or intelligence advantage to the US and are available almost exclusively from the United States, or items that are a weapon of mass destruction.
Items in the middle tier are those that provide a substantial military or intelligence advantage to the United States and are available almost exclusively from its multilateral partners and Allies.
Items in the lowest tier are those that provide a significant military or intelligence advantage but are available more broadly.
"Restructuring the control lists and applying the same licensing policies across the government will eliminate these anomalies and allow us to focus our resources on protecting the items and technologies most critical to our national security," it said.
"The Administration's goal is to begin issuing proposed revisions to the control lists and licensing policies later this year," the White House said.
