1. Singapore’s Strategic Goods Control System
The First ASEAN
Regional Forum Intersessional Meeting on Nonproliferation and Disarmament 1-3 Jul 2009

2. Singapore’s Strategic Goods Control Framework
Enforcement

3. Why the need to Control Security Interests Economic Interests
Prevent WMD proliferation
Constrain illicit transfer of WMD
Economic Interests
Competitive advantage for local industries
Access to high-end technology and equipment

4. Inter-Ministry Committee on Strategic Goods Control

5. National Authority - SC
Administer export control matters
Focal point
Process strategic goods permits
Register & audit arms brokers
Enforce SGCA/CWPA/RIEA
Conduct industry outreach

6. Multi – Agency Effort SC - National Authority: Administer & Enforce
Administer export control matters
Process strategic goods permits
Register & audit arms brokers
Focal point
Industry outreach
Enforcement
SC - National
Authority:
Administer & Enforce
IMC:
MFA, MTI, MHA,
Mindef, MOT,
AGC, SC
DTAO –
Technical
Advice
ICA – Border
Checks
Other Enforcement
Agencies
Other CAs –
Technical Support
(nuclear, radiation,
chemical, biological)

7. Legislative Framework
Strategic Goods (Control) Act – 1 Jan 2003
Comprehensive regulatory requirements - export, transshipment/transit, brokering, ITT
Control list
Catch-all – “relevant activity”
Greater enforcement powers
International cooperation
Strategic Goods (Control) Regulations – 7 Jan 2004
Stipulate the conditions of permit approval, revocation or suspension
To implement the bulk permits scheme
Stipulate record-keeping requirements
Composition fines

8. Scope of Control Control List Catch-All Controlled Transactions
Munitions List
Dual-use List
Controlled Transactions
Catch-All
Export/ Re-export
Transshipment
Transit
Intangible Transfer of Technology
Brokering
Other goods and technology that are known or suspected to be used in a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programme, or missiles capable of delivering these weapons

9. Control List
In line with export control lists used by the EU, US, Hong Kong, Australia and others
Only 2 Sub-Lists: Munitions List and Dual-Use List
Applies to all strategic goods transactions

10. Expanded Control List - since 1 Jan 08
> 1,000 items
Dual-use items including software & technology, example:
high end computers
telecommunication equipment
propulsion system
space vehicles
aerospace aircraft parts & components
marine & naval equipment, parts & components
Catch-all control still applies
The Expanded Control List
For Export, Transhipment & Transit
1 Jan 2008

11. Expanded Control List since 1 Jan 08
Control List was based on the 2005 and 2006 version of the WA and the EU, respectively.
Control list comprised two parts:
Munitions List (ML), adopted from the Munitions List of the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA)
Dual-Use List (DL), adopted from the EU’s List of Dual-Use Items and Technology – from the lists of all 4 export control regimes.
The Expanded Control List
For Export, Transhipment & Transit
1 Jan 2008

12. Amendments to Control List
Based on latest WA and EU amendments in Dec 2008; includes all items under the 4 informal export control regimes.
Mainly editorial changes for consistency and clarification on controls
Added new definition and acronym
Removal and addition of new controls since last update in Jan 2008
W.e.f. 1st Apr 2009

13. Catch-all Controls
Other goods & technology that are known or suspected to be used in a nuclear, chemical or biological weapons programme, or missiles capable of delivering these weapons

14. Legislative amendments
Strategic Goods (Control) (Amendment) Act/Regulations w.e.f.1 Jan 2008
Strategic Goods (Control) (Brokering) Order 2007 w.e.f.1 Jan 2008
Strategic Goods (Control) Order 2009 w.e.f.1 Apr 2009

15. Other Related Legislation
Regulation of Imports and Exports Act
Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act
Biological Agents and Toxins Act
Environmental Protection Management Act
Radiation Protection Act
Arms and Explosives Act
United Nations Act and UN (Anti-Terrorism Measures) Regulations

16. Enforcement and Penalties

17. Multi-pronged Enforcement approach

18. Enforcement Powers Power to search conveyances and premises
Power to access computer information
Power to access documents and information
Power to seize

19. Enforcement Coordination

20. Penalties Composition De-registration Revoke / Suspend permits
Seizure and forfeiture of goods

21. Maximum Penalties SGCA SGCR Court fines Imprisonment Seizure &
1st Offence - $100,000 / 3 times value of goods
2nd & subsequent offence - $200,000 / 4 times the value
of goods
Court fines
and / or
SGCA
Imprisonment
1st Offence - 2 years’ jail
2nd & subsequent offence years’ jail
and / or
Goods that are subject of a suspected offence under the
Act may be seized, pending investigation.
May be forfeited by court order
Seizure &
forfeiture of goods
Minor technical offences may be compounded for up to
of $10,000
SGCR
Composition

22. Industry Outreach Programme

23. Briefings/ Consultations
Industry Outreach
News releases
Circulars
Courses
Seminars
Website
Mailing list
Field visits
Task force
Briefings/ Consultations

24. Seminars United States Export Control Regulations Seminar, Apr 08
United States-Singapore Seminar on Insight to Strategic Goods Control under International Export Control Regimes, Jul 07
Japan-Singapore-United States Export Controls Seminar, Jun 07
Global Trade Controls –Asia Conference, May 06

25. SGC Courses
For Beginners – Understanding Your Responsibilities and Obligations Under the Strategic Goods Control Act
Essentials of Internal (Export Control) Compliance Programme

26. Mailing Lists www.customs.gov.sg/stgc customs_stgc@customs.gov.sg
STGC Helpline:

27. Other Counter-Proliferation Efforts

28. Counter-proliferation Initiatives
Container Security Initiative (CSI)
Singapore-US CSI implemented from 17 Mar 2003
Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI)
Singapore joined PSI core group during 5th PSI Plenary Meeting on 5 Mar 2004
Radiation Detection Initiative (RDI)
Singapore-US DOE – from 4 Apr 2006
Secure Trade Partnership (STP)
Launched on 25 May 2007

29. Regional Cooperation
Co-hosted the Joint Seminar on Man-Portable Air Defence System with the United States and Australia, 7-8 Jun 2007, Singapore
Co-hosted the ARF Export Licensing Experts Meeting with Canada, Nov 2005, Singapore

30. Joint Internal Courses
Co-hosted the CIT Implementation Workshop with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, Nov 2008
Co-hosted the Wassenaar Arrangement Briefing with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, 6-7 Aug 2008
Co-hosted the Advanced Licensing Processing Workshop with United States EXBS programme, Singapore, Jan 2009

31. Key Challenges
How to implement an Export Control system without affecting trade
Limited expertise in controlled items
Not a nuclear producing country
Not a member of 4 export control regimes
(AG,MTCR, NSG , WA)
Small country / limited resources  rely more on IT for processes & leverage on inter-agency coordination for technical expertise and equipment

32. Way Forward
Keep abreast of technological developments & international practices
Enhance international cooperation / seek technical advice from regime members
Growing emphasis on R&D  greater need to protect indigenous technologies in future
Critical to maintain the right balance

33. Thank You