GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 26, 2026
Controlled Technology
A manufacturer prepares to share technical drawings and process specifications with an overseas subsidiary – and immediately faces the question of whether these materials constitute controlled technology.
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Source: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/export-management-control/controlled-technology
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Definition & Explanation
A manufacturer prepares to share technical drawings and process specifications with an overseas subsidiary – and immediately faces the question of whether these materials constitute controlled technology. The term covers technical information, source code, manufacturing processes, and training materials whose transfer is subject to national or multilateral export control regimes, including the EU Dual-Use Regulation, the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and the Wassenaar Arrangement. A critical point: even intangible transfers – via email, remote access, or cloud sharing – qualify as exports under most frameworks and may require a licence. Controlled technology must not be conflated with intellectual property protection: an item can trigger export control obligations without ever having been patented or covered by copyright. Companies with international supply chains or distributed engineering teams need to apply this distinction consistently in day-to-day compliance work.
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