Export controls on American technology are helping the U.S. maintain its technological lead over foreign competitors, and the Biden administration plans to follow that blueprint for restrictions around quantum technologies, said Don Graves, deputy secretary of the Commerce Department.

The Group of 7 nations and the EU issued a first-of-its-kind joint guidance, which aims to help companies prevent Russia-related sanctions and export control evasion. The guidance includes a list of red flags that may indicate a company is trying to evade the measures and a set of best practices for companies to follow.

LONDON -- The U.K. government is pouring more resources into enforcement of its sanctions and export controls, with a particular focus on closing loopholes that may be allowing Russia to receive restricted business services or continuing to buy critical items for its military, a senior U.K. trade official said this week.

The Bureau of Industry and Security has removed multiple companies from a list of flagged foreign suppliers accused of illegal sales to Russia, including one after the company told BIS it was added by mistake, Export Compliance Daily has learned.

Export Compliance Daily is providing readers with the top stories from last week in case you missed them. You can find any article by searching for the title or by clicking on the hyperlinked reference number.

U.S. companies and trade groups applauded a recent Bureau of Industry and Security rule that expanded the agency’s export control exemption for certain standards-setting activities, saying the change will help remove licensing barriers faced by American officials at international bodies working on emerging technology standards. But at least one group asked BIS to continue expanding the exemption to cover a wider set of technologies discussed in standards bodies involving the electronics, telecommunications and aviation industries.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is drafting a proposed rule that could revise its space-related export controls, including by adding new License Exception Commercial Space Activities (CSA).

Companies should continue to expect an “aggressive” U.S. sanctions enforcement landscape heading into next year, and should consider increasing the amount of due diligence they undertake if they haven’t already, panelists said during an event last week about sanctions compliance.

The chair of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere urged the Biden administration Sept. 20 to take further steps to cut the oil revenue the Venezuelan government has available to it to repress political dissent.

The top lawmaker on the House Select Committee on China called on the U.S. to continue imposing strict export controls and investment restrictions against China, adding that those tools must be coupled with bolder investments in innovative American companies if the U.S. wants to “win” its technology competition with China.