Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative

In December 1990, the United States announced a series of measures --
collectively referred to as the Enhanced Proliferation Control Initiative
(EPCI) -- to reduce certain proliferation risks. Under the initiative, the
U.S. requires licenses for exports of: (a) precursor chemicals that can be
used in making chemical weapons and whole chemical plants to make such
precursors; (b) potential chemical and biological weapon-related industrial
facilities, related designs, technologies, and equipment; and (c) any items
to destinations that raise proliferation concerns when the exporter knows,
or is informed by the Commerce Department, of such concerns.

The initiative also calls for: (d) penalties on U.S. firms and individuals
that promote the spread of chemical weapons and missile technology; (e)
control lists of (i) dual-use equipment and technologies related to
chemical and biological weapons and missiles, and (ii) countries to which
exports of such items should be controlled; and (f) multilateral adoption
of the initiative's measures.