The private sector has worked to comply with the rules promulgated by the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security concerning the export of advanced semiconductors and equipment related to manufacturing them, according to a recent study by the Government Accountability Office.
Semiconductor Export Controls
The first of these rules was issued in 2022 by BIS with the aim of addressing U.S. national security and foreign policy interests, GAO said Monday. The rule also sought to prevent China from gaining access to advanced computing technologies it could use for military and artificial intelligence-related applications.
In 2023, BIS released two new rules that updated the controls of the 2022 rule. The bureau also offered updates to technical specifications and provided information as requested by the public.
Afterward, BIS conducted reviews of its export controls, including collecting public comments on existing rules. These reviews resulted in an update to rules in April this year and other subsequent changes, including an update to the Commerce Control List in September.
Challenges to Compliance
Though businesses have taken steps to comply with the issuances, challenges remain. Nevertheless, GAO reports that BIS has worked to address them. Such corrective actions include engaging with the private sector, refining definitions and soliciting feedback.
BIS also plans to conduct periodic reviews and updates to the rules not only to improve them but also to address advances in technology.
