On July 22, 2015, the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) released amendments to the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) implementing the Secretary of State’s May 29, 2015 decision to rescind the designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The removal of Cuba from Country Group…
Articles Posted in OFAC Sanctions
EU sanctions against Russia extended to 31 January 2016; additional sanctions planned
On 19 June, the European Council extended EU sanctions against Russia pursuant to Council Decision (CFSP 2015/959). This follows a series of increasingly coordinated actions by the US and EU, such as the joint statement produced at the G7 meeting two weeks ago, to show a united front against continued…
Event Recap – Iran Sanctions, Investment and Trade: Preparing for Divergent Outcomes
On Tuesday, June 8 in Pillsbury’s London office, Pillsbury and the Eurasia Group hosted the first event in their Sanctions & Market Opportunities Series entitled “Iran Sanctions, Investment and Trade: Preparing for Divergent Outcomes.” During the event, panelists discussed the likelihood for a final agreement related to Iran’s nuclear program…
Murkowski Introduces Bill to Lift Crude Oil Export Ban
On May 13, 2015 Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chair of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, introduced the Energy Supply and Distribution Act of 2015 (S.1312), which if enacted would lift the crude oil export ban. Co-sponsored with Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) and twelve Republicans, the bill would permit…
OFAC Makes Important Update to Ownership/Control Guidance
On August 13, 2014, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued new guidance on ownership/control for determining blocked parties. This represented the first significant update on this topic since February 14, 2008, and may have important practical implications for how companies conduct due diligence, assess whether potential business associates…