Export Control
Purpose of Export Control
Export controls ensure that the transfer of sensitive scientific knowledge and technologies takes place in accordance with legal, security policy and ethical frameworks. The aim is to prevent contributions to the development, manufacture or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, military equipment or related materials. At the same time, export controls help ensure that scientific activity does not contribute to human rights violations or internal repression. The scope of export controls also includes situations where scientific knowledge or technologies may be used for military purposes – so-called dual-use cases.
Academic freedom
Research operates within the tension between academic freedom in research and teaching on the one hand, and the binding requirements of foreign trade law on the other. The University of Bayreuth follows a clear course: risks are systematically assessed and addressed without unnecessarily hindering academic work. Research and international cooperation should be facilitated – responsibly, transparently and in compliance with the law.
Researchers’ personal responsibility
As research at the University of Bayreuth takes place in an international environment, issues relating to export control law may arise in many areas of academic work. All researchers and departments at the University of Bayreuth bear responsibility for complying with export control regulations within their own areas of responsibility.
This applies in particular to the export of goods (e.g. laboratory equipment, measuring instruments or samples) and the transfer of technology and know-how – both in tangible form (e.g. documents, data storage media, emails or cloud storage) and as technical support.
Against this background, it is important to assess at an early stage whether export control issues might be relevant in the context of international collaborations, data transfers, publications, business trips, visiting scholar appointments or recruitment. The film “Basic Training on Export Control” and a corresponding guidance document published by BAFA Germany’s Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control) provide an initial overview.
If you have any questions, please contact the University of Bayreuth’s Export Control Office:
exportkontrolle@uni-bayreuth.de.
The Export Control Office assists researchers and staff in assessing whether a planned transfer of goods, software or know-how, the invitation of a visiting scholar or the recruitment of a person from a country outside the EU is subject to export control regulations.
- Export Control on the intranetBasic training on export controls at the University of Bayreuth (video), Information on Business travel / laptops and mobile phone etc.
- Relevant laws and regulations (AWG, AWV, EU Dual-Use Regulation)
- Lists of goods and classification information (in German)
- BAFA’s Export Control and Academia: Recommendations for Scientific Researchers and Employees in Higher Education Institutions
- BAFA’s Export Control and Academia Manual