As expected on 23 April the EU resolved to suspend all sanctions against Myanmar with the exception of those concerning exports of military goods.

The European Union has adopted three new measures reinforcing and extending the scope of the EU sanctions against Iran - brief references and links to the source documents are set out below :

The EU has adopted measures to implement UNSCR 1970(2011).

This is done through Decision 2011/137/CFSP and Council Regulation 204/2011.

The UK Government has imposed additional sanctions against Iran. National measures were adopted under Schedule 7 to the Counter-Terrorism Act 2008 and entered into force at 3 pm on 21 November 2011.

The longest surviving EU anti-dumping measures expired at midnight on 13 July 2011.

John Grayston has been invited to speak again at this important conference on the impact of EU export controls on doing business in Asia.

Full conference details can be downloaded here: 2nd Singapore Summit on Export Controls Compliance

DG TRADE is organizing a full one day conference to discuss a broad range of dual-use export control issues.

Poland takes over the revolving Presidency of the Union for the first time since joining the EU in 2004.  Poland's term runs from 1 July to 31 December 2011.

The provisions of the new TOY SAFETY DIRECTIVE enter into force on 21 July 2011.

Directive 2009/48/EC  replaces the existing Toy Safety Directive (Dir 88/378/EEC) and adds a number of additions to the regulatory system which collectively result in stricter rules requiring more detailed compliance.

On 30 June the EU Commission adopted a consultative  GREEN PAPER on the future direction of EU Dual Use controls.  The title of the paper is "Ensuring Security and Competitiveness in a Changing World".

G&Co is pleased to be a Sponsor of the ICPA EU Compliance Strategy Conference 2011 which takes place in Brussels on 13-14 June.

Judgement of the European Court of Justice – 14 April 2011.
Pace Plc –v– The Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs

The case concerned the classification of Set Top Boxes (STB) with HDD recording functionality.  HMRC had classified these products as directed by a CN Explanatory Note issued in May 2008.  Pace’s case was that as the CNEN merely provided guidance but conflicted with the provisions of the CN which is fully binding in law, HMRC should have disregarded the CNEN.