OFAC issues guidance on international standards development.
Press Release Summary:
Office of Foreign Assets Control issued guidance regarding applicability of U.S. sanctions regulations to international standards development activities through ISO and IEC. According to OFAC, standards development activities either fall within "informational materials" exemption to sanctions regulations, or are authorized under general license which allows for collaboration on creation and enhancement of written publications, such as international standards.
Original Press Release:
OFAC Issues Guidance on U.S. Participation in ISO and IEC Standards Development
Yesterday, August 15, 2012, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued guidance regarding the applicability of U.S. sanctions regulations to international standards development activities through ISO and IEC. In its guidance, OFAC stated that standards development activities do not violate OFAC's sanctions regulations.
According to OFAC, the standards development activities either fall within the "informational materials" exemption to the sanctions regulations, or are authorized under a general license which allows for collaboration on the creation and enhancement of written publications, such as international standards. As a result, continued participation in standards development is permissible in light of OFAC's guidance and its regulations.
The guidance was issued in response to a request by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) filed with OFAC on March 29, 2012. A copy of ANSI's request and OFAC's response are linked here.
