Council Decision (CFSP) 2021/38 establishing a common approach on the elements of end-user certificates in the context of the export of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition

Summary:

Decision (CFSP) 2021/38 - adopted by the Council of the European Union on 15 January 2021 - establishing a common approach to the export of small arms and light weapons (SALW) and their ammunition.

Further information:

It establishes a set of common features that end-user certificates for the export of SALW and their ammunition are required to respect. The aim is to diminish the risk of arms diversion to illicit or unintended users, create a level playing field and increase clarity for the defence industry and its clients regarding relevant requirements.

This Decision is a follow up to conclusions published by the Council of the European Union in September 2019, which accompanied the review to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP, which defines common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment.

Official

European Commission: Glossary: Small arms and light weapons (SALW) https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/e-library/glossary/small-arms-and-light-weapons-salw_en

Council of the European Union: Press Release, 18/01/2021: Arms exports control: Council establishes a EU approach on end-user certificates https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/01/18/arms-exports-control-council-establishes-a-eu-approach-on-end-user-certificates/

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