6 May 2015

Changes Proposed to Export Control Regulations on Optics

Joel Parriott American Astronomical Society (AAS)

The US Departments of State and Commerce recently issued proposed changes to export control regulations covering optical equipment. The public comment period ends 6 July.

Details about the proposed changes are available at these two URLs:

Some in the optics and photonics community have expressed concerns with the proposed changes. Our sister society, SPIE: The International Society for Optics and Photonics, has organized a webinar on 12 May (from 2 to 3 pm EDT) to educate the broader community about the proposed changes, and they have kindly extended the invitation to members of the AAS. Registration is now open for the SPIE webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6797597963235453954. We encourage you to participate if you are interested.

In the coming days, the AAS will consider whether to respond as an organization on behalf of its membership. We welcome your input at [email protected].