Control of export of dual-use items

Iceland controls exports of dual-use items, i.e. goods, technology or services that can be used for both military and civilian purposes, on the basis of international legal obligations that Iceland is party to. The purpose of export controls is to prevent dual-use items from being used in violation with Iceland's international legal obligations, including related to international sanctions, humanitarian and human rights law, etc.

Icelandic legislation on export control takes into account and implements the regulation of the European Parliament and the Council (EU) 2021/821 of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use item, as amended.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs (MFA) is responsible for export control in Iceland. It sets policy and issues export authorisations. The MFA grants four types of export authorisations, i.e. individual export authorisation, general export authorisation, global export authorisation and large project authorisation. Lists of dual-use items subject to export authorisations can be found on lists published and implemented based on Act No. 67/2023 on Disarmament, Arms Control, and Export Control.

The fee for export authorisations is ISK 25,000 (as of 2023, see Article 12 (19) of the Treasury Supplementary Income Act No 88/1991), to be paid with the application. A transfer can be made to the MFA's account 0303-26-000269 - 670269-4779. A receipt should be attached to the application. Applications for export authorisations should be sent to: [email protected].

Application Forms 

• Form 1: APPLICATION FOR AUTHORISATION FOR EXPORT OF CONTROLLED ITEMS
• Form 2: END-USE CERTIFICATE

International Cooperation

International obligations are based, inter alia, on the UN Charter, the Chemicals Weapons Agreement of 1992, the Arms Trade Treaty, the EEA Agreement and Iceland's participation in export control regimes, the Australian Group (Chemical and Biological Weapons), the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). Iceland has submitted an application for participation in the Wassenaar Arrangement dealing with conventional weapons and dual-use items. Iceland already implements its rules and guidelines.

Iceland is a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and is a member of, participates in or supports export control related organisations and cooperation including the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the Hague Code of Conduct against Missile Proliferation (HCOC), the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI), the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and the Global Threat Reduction Initiative (GTRI).

Control Lists

• See Regulation No. 1120/2023 on Export Control of Dual-Use Items, cf. Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council (EU) 2021/821 of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use item, as amended.

Enforcement

Customs and police authorities enforce export control legislation in co-operation with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs. The Ministry controls exports before they take place through licensing, the Customs Authority screens customs declarations, the police investigates breaches of export control legislation and prosecutors prosecute cases before the regular courts.

Laws and Regulations

Act No. 67/2023 on Disarmament, Arms Control, and Export Control. 

Regulation No. 1120/2023 on Export Control of Dual-Use Items. 

This regulation implements:

• Regulation of the European Parliament and the Council (EU) 2021/821 of 20 May 2021 setting up a Union regime for the control of exports, brokering, technical assistance, transit and transfer of dual-use item, as amended. 

See also:

• Act No. 68/2023 on Implementation of International Sanctions and Asset Freeze.

Non-Proliferation Policy

Iceland supports international efforts in the area of non-proliferation through international co-operation (see below) and implementation of all international obligations in this area. As a member of the United Nations, Iceland implements all Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on arms embargos and non-proliferation. It sponsors and supports non-proliferation initiatives at the UN, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (Preparatory Commission - CTBTO) and other international fora. Iceland aligns itself with EU positions on non-proliferation on the basis of the EEA Agreement of 1992.

Selected WMD Conventions to which Iceland is a Party

• Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (1996), entered into force for Iceland 26.6.2000
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production, Stockpiling and Use of Chemical Weapons and on Their Destruction (1993), entered into force 29.4.1997
• Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological Biological and Toxin Weapons and on their Destruction (1972), entered into force 26.3.1975
• Treaty on the Prohibition of the Emplacement of Nuclear Weapons and Other Weapons of Mass Destruction on the Sea Bed and the Ocean Floor and in the Subsoil Thereof (1971), entered into force 30.5.1972
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (1968), entered into force 5.3.1970
• Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapon Tests in the Atmosphere, in Outer Space and Under Water (1963), entered into force 29.4.1964

Selected Nuclear Related Conventions to which Iceland is a Party

• Additional protocol to the safeguards agreement (2003), entered into force for Iceland 12.9.2003
• Joint convention on the safety of spent nuclear fuel management (1997), entered into force 27.4.2006
• Convention on nuclear safety (1994), entered into force 2.9.2008
• Convention on early notification of a nuclear accident (1986), entered into force 28.10.1989
• Convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident of radiological emergency (1986), entered into force 26.2.2006
• Convention on the physical protection of nuclear material (1980), entered into force 18.7.2002
• Safeguards Agreement in connection with the NPT (1972), entered into force 16.10.1974
• Protocol to the Safeguards Agreement in connection with the NPT (1972), entered into force 6.10.1974