U.S. Commerce Department Proposes Expansion of Information and Communications Technology and Services Review Process
On November 26, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) issued a notice of proposed rulemaking (Proposed Rule) implementing Executive Order 14034 on Protecting Americans’ Sensitive Data from Foreign Adversaries (EO 14034). The Proposed Rule would bring “connected software applications” into the scope of Commerce’s authority to review certain transactions involving information and communications technology and services (ICTS) in the U.S. supply chain and approve or prohibit such transactions or require mitigating measures.1
U.S. Commerce Department Issues Interim Regulations Establishing Review Process for Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chains
On January 19, 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) issued interim final regulations (interim rules) implementing Executive Order 13873, Executive Order on Securing the Information and Communications Technology Services Supply Chain (EO), which was intended to address alleged threats against information and communications technology and services (ICTS) in the United States. The new review mechanism focuses on transactions involving any acquisition, importation, transfer, installation, dealing in, or use of ICTS that has been designed, developed, manufactured, or supplied by parties owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of “foreign adversaries.”
While the focus on the rules is not foreign investment per se, it will complement the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States’ (CFIUS) investment security review mechanisms. Indeed, the interim rules borrow several concepts and definitions from CFIUS’s recently amended regulations.
Commerce invited interested parties to submit comments on the interim rules. Parties must submit comments by March 22, 2021. Commerce will publish final regulations after considering any comments submitted.
This post provides key takeaways and a brief summary of Commerce’s new review mechanism.