The U.S. is currently working with Her Majesty’s Government to finalize the Management Plan for the Treaty and all other outstanding issues. Treaty testing (“Pathfinder” projects) is complete, but a few outstanding issues remain and are now being addressed, including how compliance and enforcement matters will be handled under the Treaty and how the Approved Community will be established. A meeting of the Management Board, composed of representatives from the U.S. and the UK, will take place in London on December 15. The Board will take stock of remaining issues, finalize the timeline for implementation, and resolve other outstanding matters. The Board’s target date for resolution of all outstanding issues, including finalization of the Management Plan, is late February 2012.
The proposed changes to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which will implement the Treaty once it has been published in final form, have been released for public comment (PDF). Comments are due by December 22, 2012.
The publication of the final form of the ITAR is planned for approximately the end of March 2012.
In approximately mid-March 2012, the United States government will submit required reports and certification on Treaty implementation to the U.S. Congress. At the end of March 2012, the U.S. and UK plan to conduct an exchange of notes, which will bring the Treaty into force.
After this, the transactions envisioned by the Treaty can begin.
Last updated: 29 November 2011