Missile Technology Control Regime Targets Bearings

The Missile Technology Control Regime's Commerce Control List (CCL) has been amended to control trade in some high-precision bearings. The MTCR Plenary Agreement is a 34-nation export control arrangement among the most technologically advanced nations capable of producing ballistic missiles and missile-related materials and equipment. MTCR sets a common policy that applies to all of the participating countries and is an attempt to control the international trade in advanced arms parts and technologies. The goal of MTCR is to stop international trade in missile systems capable of delivering weapons of mass destruction to the global marketplace. Originally set up in 1987 to control the flow of nuclear missile technology, the MTCR was amended in 1993 to address chemical and biological weapons as well. click to visit the Missile Technology Control Regime website http://www.mtcr.info The latest change impacts Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) 2A001: Anti-Friction Bearings and Bearing Systems and Components Therefor, and subjects the following bearings to missile technology controls: Radial ball bearings having all tolerances specified in accordance with ISO 492 Tolerance Class 2 (or ANSI/ABMA Std 20 Tolerance Class ABEC-9, or other national equivalents), or better and having all the following characteristics: An inner ring bore diameter between 12 and 50 mm; an outer ring outside diameter between 25 and 100 mm; and a width between 10 and 20 mm. The move puts those bearings on a par with such things as plasma generators and rocket fuel pumps. In the 34 participating countries, new licensing requirements will be added for companies producing those bearings.