BIS Settlement Highlights Export Control Risks for Medical and Research Technology

On August 14, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) announced a settlement with Plexon, Inc., a Texas neuroscience technology company. BIS asserts that Plexon exported neural recording systems to a restricted Chinese research institution without appropriate authorization under the U.S. Export Administration Regulations (EAR). The EAR is the set of regulations that control exports of U.S. dual-use items; BIS is the main government agency responsible for administering and enforcing the EAR.