End Use Controls
WMD End-Use Controls
For the purposes of export control ‘WMD end-use’ means
“use in connection with the development, production, handling, operation, maintenance, storage, detection, identification or dissemination of chemical, biological or nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices, or the development, production, maintenance or storage of missiles capable of delivery of such weapons”
Export Control Order 2008 No3231 Regulation 2
WMD (Weapon of Mass Destruction) end-use controls apply to exports or transfers which are for ‘WMD purposes’. This can be any activity potentially connected to any aspect of a WMD programme. This includes provision of technical assistance, and it includes items, software or technology that are not on the UK export control lists. Any item, software or technology can require a licence application if those involved in the export know or suspect that what they are exporting may be used for WMD end use purposes.
Military End Use Controls (MEUC)
The military end use control applies only to destinations subject to an embargo. The military end use control controls 1) what happens to the export (the item, software or technology) and 2) who receives and uses it (the end user) under the following criteria:
- If anyone involved in the export is informed by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU) or is aware that otherwise non-controlled items are to be or may be intended to be:
a) Incorporated into items on the military list
b) Used in production, test or analytical equipment and components for the development, production or maintenance of items on the military list
c) Used in any unfinished products in a plant for the production of items on the military list
d) Used as parts or components of items on the military list that were exported without authorisation or in violation of an authorisation by the government
- Or has been informed by the ECJU that the items are or may be intended to be:
a) Used by military, para-military or police forces, security services or government intelligence organisations
b) Used by an entity involved in the procurement, research, development, production or use of items on behalf of the entities in 2a).
The criteria listed under section 2, do not apply to the export of medical goods for the benefit of civilian populations, goods generally available to the public or software and technology in the public domain.
Sanctions End Use Controls (SEUC)
Sanctions End-Use Controls were introduced in 2026 to tackle the evasion of trade sanctions and the controls constitute a new licencing requirement.
The SEUC impact tangible and intangible exports to a non-sanctioned third country where the exporter has been informed by the government that there is a risk of diversion to a sanctioned destination. The new controls apply only to sanctioned items or technology that are not controlled via the UK export control lists.
Sanctions End-Use Controls are designed to:
- prevent sanctioned goods and related technology from reaching sanctioned jurisdictions and end users
- complement existing circumvention provisions under the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Act 2018 (SAMLA)
Sanctions End-Use Controls apply to all trade sanctions regimes, but for them to apply the exporter will have to be informed. Once informed the export cannot take place without a licence.
External links
UK Government pages on WMD end-use controls