The term “Export Controls” refers collectively to the body of U.S. laws and regulations that govern the export, transfer or release of controlled “items,” software,” or “information” to a “foreign person,” a foreign entity, or a foreign country. The regulations are very complex and the interdependency of a section within a regulation or the applicability of the various laws and regulations requires careful review.
Export controls are U.S. federal government laws and regulations that require federal agency approval before the export of controlled items, commodities, technology, software, information or technical assistance to restricted foreign countries, nationals/persons, and entities (including universities).
When planning a trip abroad, individuals sometimes take information, technology and equipment with them. However, faculty, staff and students need to be aware of the impact of export control regulations when traveling internationally.
RPI researchers are at the front line of export control issues. They are the ones with the control over the scope of the research project. The PI also makes the decisions and/or gives approval regarding equipment,data or technology which will be implemented in a project and to whom the controlled data or knowledge may need to be shared or transferred. For example, the researchers determine when a research project may involve dispatching equipment or transferring technical information to colleagues abroad or to foreign nationals within their research laboratory, and "export" or a "deemed export," respectively. (NOTE: Quotations identify regulatory defined terms.)
The Department of Commerce’s Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and the Department of State’s International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) restrict the export of certain technology or technical data, such as military applications (regulated by ITAR) or commercial applications that may also have value in a military context (regulated by EAR), overseas and to foreign nationals working in or visiting the United States.