Office of National Security Controls (ONSC)

Office overview and responsibilities

ONSC’s focal point is national security export controls. This office plays a pivotal role in implementing and enforcing multilateral controls aligned with the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA), which are aimed at regulating the dissemination of dual-use goods and related technologies. Additionally, ONSC takes charge of U.S. export control policies concerning encryption, ensuring a balanced approach to security and technological advancements.

ONSC is responsible for reviewing and adjudicating license applications, related work items, and participating in WA meetings including negotiations with interagency and international partners. The office experts participate in BIS export control seminars as well as other domestic and international conferences and in contributing to the publication of changes to the Export Administration Regulations. ONSC also serves as the focal point for commodity jurisdiction (CJ) assessments received from the Department of State and plays a central role in determining the appropriate regulatory framework for specific goods.

ONSC engineers and analysts review and process export license applications for items controlled for NS reasons and all related tasks such as commodity classifications (CCATS), license determinations (LD), advisory opinions (AO), and policy actions.

ONSC is at the forefront of shaping and enforcing policies crucial for safeguarding national security interests related to export controls.

Electronics and Materials Division (EMD)

EMD manages a large portfolio that includes analysis of export and reexport license applications, CCATS, CJ, LD, AO, and policy issues, related to different product groups across categories 1, 2, and 3 of the Commerce Control List (CCL), in the areas of certain chemicals, materials processing, semiconductor radio frequency devices, electronic test equipment, semiconductor processing tools, software, and design technology.

Sensors, Aerospace, and Marine Division (SAM)

SAM administers implementation of the multilateral WA controls on sensors, aviation, satellites and marine (categories 6-9 on the CCL) and the unilateral controls associated with military end use/user, as well as all associated CCATS, CJs, LDs, and AOs. Not only is this division responsible for the licensing functions related to these categories, but also policy related issues arising from the licensing or controls on these items. Additionally, SAM staff represent the Department of Commerce, as part of the U.S. delegation, during WA technical experts and policy meetings throughout the year. SAM is responsible for managing the work of the Sensors and Instrumentation Technical Advisory Committee (SITAC) and the Transportation and Related Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (TRANSTAC). SAM also provides policy support to Bureau leadership in other multilateral engagement efforts.

Information Technology Controls Division (ITCD)

ITCD administers implementation of the multilateral WA controls on computers, telecommunications, and encryption (categories 4 and 5 on the CCL). The division is responsible for licensing and policy issues related to controls of these items and represents the Department of Commerce as part of the U.S. delegation to the WA Experts Group meetings. ITCD works closely with the National Security Agency (NSA) on encryption related issues. ITCD is responsible for managing the work of the Information Systems Technical Advisory Committee (ISTAC). ITCD also provides policy support to Bureau leadership in other multilateral engagement efforts.

Munitions Control Division (MCD)

MCD manages policy actions, export licenses, commodity classifications, license determinations, compliance activities, and advisory opinions for less sensitive munitions items subject to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR), known as 600 series items.

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