Coordinating Committee on Multilateral Export Controls

CoCom is an informal organization that cooperatively restricts strategic
exports to controlled countries. CoCom controls three lists: (a) the
international industrial list (synonymous with the "dual-use" or "core"
list), (b) the international munitions list, and (c) the atomic energy
list. The 17 CoCom members are: Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
France, the Federal Republic of Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg,
the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and
the United States. Other countries, including: Austria, Finland, Hong
Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Sweden,




and Switzerland have been designated as "cooperating countries." These
countries receive many of the benefits ascribed to CoCom member countries.

CoCom controls exports at three levels, depending on the item and the
proposed destination. At the highest or "general exception" level,
unanimous approval by CoCom members is necessary. At the next level,
"favorable consideration," there is a presumption of approval; the export
may be made if no CoCom members objects within 30 days of submission to
CoCom. At the lowest level, "national discretion" (also called
"administrative exception"), a member nation may approve the export on its
own, but CoCom must be notified after the fact.

CoCom is scheduled to terminate on March 31, 1994.