If the item is not publicly available, the next analysis is whether the item is using ‘cryptography for data confidentiality’.

Technical Note 1 under 5A002.a defines what ‘cryptography for data confidentiality’ means:

1.            For the purposes of 5A002.a., 'cryptography for data confidentiality’ means “cryptography” that employs digital techniques and performs any cryptographic function other than any of the following:

a.            "Authentication";

b.            Digital signature;

c.             Data integrity;

d.            Non-repudiation;

e.            Digital rights management, including the execution of copy-protected "software";

f.             Encryption or decryption in support of entertainment, mass commercial broadcasts or medical records management; or

g.            Key management in support of any function described in paragraph a. to f. above.

The use of cryptography limited to a-g listed above, results in a classification of the product NOT in 5A002.a. In that case, you should review other entries in Category 5 Part 2 and other Categories on the CCL (e.g., Cat. 4 or Cat. 5, Part 1). If it is not described in any other Category then it can be classified as EAR99.

“Authentication” is defined as: Verifying the identity of user, process or device, often as a prerequisite to allowing access to resources in an information system. This includes verifying the origin or content of a message or other information, and all aspects of access control where there is no encryption of files or text except as directly related to the protection of passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) or similar data to prevent unauthorized access.

Digital signature, data integrity and non-repudiation functions are also not covered by Cat. 5, Part 2. These are means for providing proof of the integrity and origin of data.

Digital Rights Management (DRM), including copyright protection, is encryption that is used to verify that someone has a right to download or use software or view content. Examples include:

• License key product protection and similar purchase validation
• Software and hardware design IP protection
• Piracy and theft prevention for software, music, etc.

Encryption/decryption in support of entertainment, mass commercial broadcast and medical records management in also excluded. Examples include:

• Games and gaming – devices, runtime software, HDMI and other component interfaces
• Music movie, tunes/music, digital photos – dedicated players, recorders, and organizers
• LCD-TV, Blu-ray/ DVD, Video of Demand, cinema, digital video recorders (DVRs)/ personal video recorders (PVRs) – devices, on-line media guides, commercial content integrity and protection, HDMI and other component interfaces
• Medical/ clinical – including patient scheduling, and medical data records confidentiality.

On March 29, 2021 the Implementation of Wassenaar Arrangement 2019 Plenary Decisions was published in the Federal Register. This rule included changes to license exception ENC Section 740.17 of the EAR.

Here is a summary of the changes made to license exception ENC by this rule.

The U.S. Commerce Control List (CCL) is broken in to 10 Categories  0 – 9 (see Supplement No. 1 to part 774 of the EAR).  Encryption items fall under Category 5, Part 2 for Information Security.  Cat. 5, Part 2 covers:

•    1) Cryptographic Information Security; (e.g., items that use cryptography)

•    2) Non-cryptographic Information Security (5A003); and

•    3) Defeating, Weakening of Bypassing Information Security (5A004)

You can find a Quick Reference Guide to Cat. 5, Part 2 here.

The controls in Cat. 5, Part 2 include multilateral and unilateral controls. The multilateral controls in Cat. 5, Part 2 of the EAR (e.g., 5A002, 5A003, 5A004, 5B002, 5D002, 5E002) come from the Wassenaar Arrangement List of Dual Use Goods and Technologies. Changes to the multilateral controls are agreed upon by the participating members of the Wassenaar Arrangement.  Unilateral controls in Cat. 5, Part 2 (e.g., 5A992.c, 5D992.c, 5E992.b) of the EAR are decided on by the United States.  

 
The main license exception that is used for items in Cat. 5, Part 2 is License Exception ENC (Section 740.17). License exception ENC provides a broad set of authorizations for encryption products (items that implement cryptography) that vary depending on the item, the end-user, the end-use, and the destination. There is no "unexportable" level of encryption under license exception ENC. Most encryption products can be exported to most destinations under license exception ENC, once the exporter has complied with applicable reporting and classification requirements. Some items going to some destinations require licenses.

This guidance does not apply to items subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of another agency.  For example, ITAR USML Categories XI(b),(d), and XIII(b), (l) control software, technical data, and other items specially designed for military or intelligence applications.

 
The following 2 flowcharts lay out the analysis to follow for determining if and how the EAR and Cat.5 Part 2 apply to a product incorporating cryptography:

Flowchart 1: Items Designed to Use Cryptography Including Items NOT controlled under Category 5 Part 2 of the EAR
Flowchart 2: Classified in Category 5, Part 2 of the EAR

Similarly, the following written outline provides the analysis to follow for determining if and how the EAR and Cat.5 Part 2 apply to a product incorporating cryptography.  Although Category 5 Part 2 controls more than just cryptography, most items that are in Category 5 Part 2 fall under 5A002.a, 5A002.b, 5A004, or 5A992 or their software and technology equivalents. 

"Encryption Outline"

1.    Encryption items that are NOT subject to the EAR (publicly available)
2.    Items subject to Cat. 5, Part 2:

a. 5A002.a (and equivalent software under 5D002 c.1) applies to items that:

i. Use ‘cryptography for data confidentiality’; and

ii.  Have ‘in excess of 56 bits of symmetric key length, or equivalent’; and

iii.  Have cryptography described in 1 and 2 above where the cryptographic capability is usable, activated, or can be activated by means of "cryptographic activation" not employing a secure mechanism; and

iv.  Are described under 5A002 a.1 – a.4; and

v.  Are not described by Decontrol notes.

b. 5A992.c (and software equivalence controlled under 5D992.c) is also known as mass market. These items meet all of the above descried under 5A002.a and Note 3 to Category 5, Part 2. See the MASS MARKET section for more information.

c. 5A002.b (and software equivalence controlled under 5D002.b) applies to items designed or modified to enable, by means of “cryptographic activation,” an item to achieve/exceed the controlled performance levels for functionality specified by 5A002.a not otherwise enabled (e.g., license key to enable cryptography).

d. 5A004 (and equivalent software controlled under 5D002.c.3) applies to items designed or modified to perform ‘cryptanalytic functions’ including by means of reverse engineering.

e. The following are less commonly used entries:

5A003 (and equivalent software controlled under 5D002.c.2) applies to communication cables systems designed to detect surreptitious intrusion and also applies to items specially designed to reduce the compromising emanations of information-bearing signals beyond what is necessary for health, safety or electromagnetic interference standards.

5A002.c-.e (and equivalent software controlled under 5D002.c.1) controls such things as Quantum Key Distribution, cryptographic techniques for systems using ultra-wideband modulation, and cryptographic techniques to generate spreading code for spread spectrum.

3. License Exception ENC and mass market

If you've gone through the steps above and your product is controlled in Cat. 5, Part 2 under an ECCN other than 5A003 (and equivalent or related software and technology), then it is eligible for at least some part of license exception ENC. The next step is to determine which part of License Exception ENC the product falls under. Knowing which part of ENC the product falls under will tell you what you need to do to make the item eligible for ENC, and where the product can be exported without a license.

Types of authorization available for license exception ENC:

                  a.   Mass Market
                  b.   740.17(a)
                  c.   740.17(b)(2)
                  d.   740.17(b)(3)/Mass market
                  e.   740.17(b)(1)/ Mass market

4.    Once you determine what authorization applies to your product, then you may have to file a classification request, annual self-classification report, and/or semi-annual sales report. The links below provide instructions on how to submit reports and Encryption Reviews:

      a.     How to file an Annual Self-Classification Report
      b.     How to file a Semi-annual Report
      c.     How to Submit an ENC or Mass market classification review

5.    After you have submitted the appropriate classification and/or report, there may be some instances in which a license is still required. Information on when a license is required, types of licenses available, and how to submit are below:

     a.   When a License is Required
     b.   Types of licenses available
     c.   How to file a license application

6.    FAQs
7.    Contact us

5A002.a includes items where the cryptographic capability is usable, activated, or can be activated by means of "cryptographic activation not employing a secure mechanism.

"Cryptographic activation" (Cat 5P2) Any technique that specifically activates or enables cryptographic capability of an item, by means of a mechanism implemented by the manufacturer of the item, where this mechanism is uniquely bound to any of the following:

(1) A single instance of the item; or

(2) One customer, for multiple instances of the item.

Technical note 1 to definition of “Cryptographic activation”: “Cryptographic activation” techniques and mechanisms may be implemented as hardware, “software” or “technology”.

Technical note 2 to definition of “Cryptographic activation”: Mechanisms for “cryptographic activation” can, for example, be serial number-based license keys or authentication instruments such as digitally signed certificates.

That is to say, if the cryptography cannot be used it would not be controlled in 5A002.a. Also, if the cryptography requires a “cryptographic activation” (e.g., license key) to be enabled, then the item without or before the cryptography is activated would not be controlled in 5A002.a.

Conversely, an item that has cryptography that is usable without any “cryptographic activation” (e.g., license key) could be controlled in 5A002.a. Items that do require a cryptographic activation that has been activated would be controlled in Cat. 5 Part 2. Also, items where the cryptographic activation is implemented without using a secure mechanism would still be controlled in Cat. 5 Part 2.

General number: 202-482-0707

Aaron Amundson
Director
Ph: 202-482-5299
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Sylvia Jimmison
Export Policy Analyst
Ph: 202-482-2342
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Michael Pender
Sr. Electronics Engineer
Ph: 202-482-2458
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Anita Zinzuvadia
Sr. Electronics Engineer
Ph: 202-482-3772
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Naomi Dubiel
Export  Administration Specialist
Ph: 202-482-2954
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T. Renee Osborne
Management & Program Analyst
Ph: 202.482.9065
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