PNNL

Abstract

Economic, technological, and social trends have led to rapid growth in the market for used and remanufactured goods, and with it, a potential threat: the export of used, dual-use commodities that could contribute to the development of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). Export control requirements apply to WMD-related commodities even beyond first sale, but knowledge of these requirements is sometimes lost as commodities are sold and resold—and many “outdated” products can still contribute to a WMD development program. As such, the secondary market for listed commodities may pose proliferation risks and export control challenges that may not be well understood. While measures may exist to mitigate the risks posed by the secondary market, those measures may not have been systematically integrated into export enforcement and outreach programs, and secondary market resellers may not be aware of the requirements associated with exporting these commodities. This article summarizes the findings of a study that was performed to assess the secondary market to (1) identify dual-use commodities that present a higher risk for resale in secondary markets, and (2) outline approaches for relevant authorities to address gaps in existing outreach, training, and enforcement programs.