China

Industrial Sovereignty: China’s Strategic Offensive in the Sanctions Arena

Beijing’s recent blacklisting of seven European defense entities marks a major strategic shift. Far from a simple retaliatory move, this decision signals that China has finalized its own robust regulatory shield. For international trade participants, this paradigm shift transforms compliance management into an unprecedented traceability challenge. The most critical aspect of this development is the […]

Export control regulations

Building a New Global Regime: Canada Joins the “Wassenaar-minus-one” Coalition

The global export control landscape is undergoing a profound transformation following Canada’s proposal for new restrictions on advanced technologies. By adding lithography equipment, epitaxial deposition tools, and advanced computing integrated circuits to its “Group 5” controls, Ottawa confirms a growing trend: Western allies are increasingly bypassing the slow pace of the Wassenaar Arrangement to respond […]

USA

Regulation and Compliance: Analyzing the Latest OFAC Updates

The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) continues to refine its sanctions programs with the release of several regulatory updates and expanded oversight lists. These updates are vital for navigating the complex landscape of international sanctions, defining the precise boundaries between prohibited activities and the temporary exemptions authorized under U.S. law. Regarding the Russia-related sanctions […]

French Russia

Strategic Exports and Judicial Scrutiny: The Huron-Graffenstaden Case

The French National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (Pnat) has reached a critical stage in its investigation into the French machine-tool manufacturer Huron-Graffenstaden. The company’s CEO has been formally indicted for the organized smuggling of dual-use goods. This development highlights the end of a certain regulatory tolerance regarding complex re-exportation circuits and the significant tightening of controls […]

Export control regulations USA

The Illusion of Containment: How Iranian Networks Defy Export Control in Hong Kong

The effectiveness of international sanctions relies on a precision mechanism that evasion networks strive to jam every day. Hong Kong’s current situation serves as a textbook case for any compliance professional. In 2019, when the U.S. Treasury blacklisted a Hong Kong-based company involved in procuring sensitive technology for Iran’s ballistic program, the objective was to […]

USA

Iranian oil: an OFAC license that misleads companies

In mid-April 2026, the expiration of General License U issued by the Office of Foreign Assets Control led to widespread interpretations among international trade operators. Some viewed this license as a signal of easing sanctions on Iranian oil. In reality, this interpretation proved largely misleading. While U.S. authorities did temporarily authorize certain transactions involving Iranian […]

EC Compliance

EC Compliance attending SITL 2026 in Paris

EC Compliance will be attending SITL 2026, one of the leading events dedicated to transport, logistics, and supply chain. The exhibition will take place from March 31 to April 2, 2026, at Paris Nord Villepinte, bringing together key industry players to address the major challenges shaping supply chains today. In a context driven by digitalization, […]