Union General Export Authorisations (GEAs)
How Union GEA authorisations permit the export of specified controlled dual-use goods from Northern Ireland to certain countries outside the EU.
Applies to Northern Ireland
This guidance applies to exports from Northern Ireland.
For exports from England, Scotland and Wales, see the retained General Export Authorisations (GEAs) detailed guide.
Introduction
Union GEAs permit the export of certain specified dual-use Items from Northern Ireland to certain specified non-EU destinations.
GEAs are the European equivalent of the national system of Open General Licences (OGLs) issued under export control law. They authorise particular dual-use exports without any other licence being required.
Dual-use items are goods, software or technology that can be used for either civil or military purposes. The EU is responsible for issuing legislation in this area which is applicable on an EU-wide basis.
To legally use the authorisations, you must ensure you meet all the licensing terms and conditions including registering before use with the ECJU.
Read more guidance on export controls: dual-use items, software and technology, goods for torture and radioactive sources).
Background
Regulation (EU) 2021/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 sets up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use items.
There are 8 Union GEAs, which are:
- EU001: exports to Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein) and the United States – note: this was previously known as the Community General Export Authorisation or CGEA
- EU002: export of certain dual-use Items to certain destinations
- EU003: export after repair/replacement
- EU004: temporary export for exhibition or fair
- EU005: telecommunications
- EU006: chemicals
- EU007: intra-group export of software and technology
- EU008: encryption
These Union GEAs came into force on 9 September 2021.
To access each individual authorisation you can download the complete text of Regulation (EU) 2021/821 from the Europa website.
Scope and conditions of use
Each of the Union GEAs contains:
- a precise list of destinations to which exports are permitted
- a specific list of items that may be exported to those destinations
- a specific set of conditions of use, which must be adhered to when exporting under the particular general authorisation
The items listed on each authorisation refer to a control entry heading (or ‘rating’) which should be cross referenced to goods described on the EU dual-use list (as published in the Union legislation).
You can use SPIRE, the online export licensing system to apply for all types of export and trade control licences or register to use a OGL or a GEA.
Read guidance on using SPIRE to apply for an export or trade control licence, or how to register to use a OGL or a GEA.
Using a Union GEA
To establish if you can export under authority of a particular Union GEA, you need to review an authorisation, and ensure that you can meet all the terms and conditions. You must read and understand the authorisation carefully.
Once you have determined that you can use a GEA, you must register for the appropriate authorisation via SPIRE. Registration is a requirement of using the authorisation.
Holders of this authorisation are subject to ECJU Compliance Audits. For more information see the guide on compliance and enforcement of export controls.
Contact the ECJU
General queries about strategic export licensing:
Export Control Joint Unit
Department for Business and Trade
Old Admiralty Building
Admiralty Place
London
SW1A 2DY
Email exportcontrol.help@businessandtrade.gov.uk
Telephone 020 7215 4594