Current features of the European Union regime for export control of dual-use goods

Export control of dual-use goods and technologies is a crucial element of the security policies of countries that are exporters of technology, aimed at avoiding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. One of the main features of the EU regime of export control is that it poses challenges in terms of the EU competence that refers to the common commercial policy and to the security policy. Indeed, this article analyzes the developments concerning the EU competence in this field and how the different nature of the competences has influenced the EU export control regime. Moving from the origins of the Community regime for export control, mainly in the context of the completion of the internal market in the early 1990s, particular attention will be devoted to the limits of Regulation 1334/2000 setting up a Community regime for the export control, and of subsequent Regulation 428/2009.