Critical drive & automation products subject to export control

Modern ‘free’ trade is very complex. We have to follow many rules and be clear about what to do. The situation is even more complex when it comes to export control, which is currently receiving special attention due to the war on the European continent and the EU sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Thus, especially considering drive and automation products, raising staff awareness of export control, sanctions and critical product groups is of crucial importance.

For example:

• Inverters can have a special software extension for output frequencies above 600 Hz, which is critical because this type of product can be used in chemical centrifuges and nuclear power plants in sanctioned countries.
• Sensors are everywhere, including machines, all kinds of larger installations. Let’s pick encoders, which are speed sensors. There are two limitations that affect export controls. For incremental encoders, the threshold is 10,000 pulses per revolution (PPR). For absolute encoders, the threshold is 20 bits.
• Another product that gives engineers a headache is valves and pumps. Once stainless steel is used inside the product, a red flag should go up – it usually means that it is subject to export controls.

Learn more on this topic and also emerging technologies in high-tech industry in this video (which was a part of the webinar "Export control and sanctions – day-to-day management"). Please find the slides in the resources section. 

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Reading recommendation:
Export control: certain critical product groups to be aware of  by Armin Belle, CCRM Issue 20