Commerce Ministry to regulate dual-use items by issuing licences
Dual-use items, or products that can be used for both beneficial and dangerous purposes, will soon be regulated by the Commerce Ministry in a move to prevent problems in both local and export markets in the near future.
The Foreign Trade Department is in the process of drafting the regulation, which would require both importers and exporters of dual-use items to get an allowance and licence from the ministry.
A senior official of the department said the regulation would possibly be enforced next year to ensure that Thai trade regulations are in line with international rules. The department is also setting up an IT system to certify dual-use items.
This move is in compliance with the United Nations’ agreement on weapons of mass destruction that require member states to launch measures to control trade in dual-use items.
Dual-use items are specified as goods or technology that can be used for commercial purposes or for producing a weapon, such as carbon fibre, which can be used not just to make tennis rackets and golf clubs, but also missiles.
While outlining the regulation, the department has studied the system of several countries, especially South Korea. It plans to apply guidelines of the Korean Strategic Trade Institute and will adapt them to follow Thai classification and licensing system.
