Controlled goods and technologies : are your research and academic activities legally compliant?
Specific university activities, as well as others related to research, teaching or student clubs may be subject to regulatory controls stemming from national and international obligations. These controls aim to regulate the possession, transfer, and access to technologies that could compromise the national security of Canada and its international partners, and to prevent the proliferation of certain technologies for military use or that could be used by terrorist groups.
Regulatory compliance of research projects and student activities
Canada has enacted and signed various national and international laws intended to control the transfer of certain technologies and access to them. For example, access to certain materials, instruments, equipment and technologies may be limited or prohibited. As a student or researcher at ÉTS, you are required to comply with these laws and regulations.
These various laws may have an impact on:
- Grant applications;
- Student participation in projects requiring these specific technologies;
- Publications;
- Intellectual property;
- The design and purchase of equipment and research instruments;
- Computer Systems (laptops, cloud computing);
- Student clubs;
- Donated equipment.
Exports, technologies, goods and security: Laws to be respected
It is your responsibility to know the various applicable laws and comply with them. You will find below a list of the various programs to which Canada has subscribed. You can learn more about the regulations and the technologies concerned by clicking on the links.
- Export control programs signed under the Wassenaar Arrangements. These regulations are intended to prevent access to and unauthorized transfers of certain technologies. To learn more: List of technologies and good concerned.
- The Controlled Goods Program (CGP). These laws and regulations are intended to improve the security and the protection of certain goods and technologies in order to prevent proliferation. They regulate and control the inspection, the possession and transfer of these technologies in Canada. To learn more: List of technologies and goods concerned.
- The Contract Security Program (CSP). This program ensures the protection of classified or protected information as well as the assets entrusted to industry for contracts managed by Public Works and Government Services Canada or other federal departments, when these employers so request. It also concerns the issuance of security clearances required to participate in NATO scientific committees.
- U.S.A. laws of extraterritorial scope. The Export Administration Regulations (EAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR),International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) ou International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) are United States of America laws that apply to various civilian technologies qualified as dual usage (EAR) or specifically designed for military applications (ITAR).
What are the risks of contravening these statutes?
The applicable sanctions are at once financial, administrative and legal. The American laws have extraterritorial scope regardless of your place of residence. In addition to the American sanctions (EAR, ITAR, OFAC, IEEPA), you will find the applicable Canadian sanctions listed on the Global Affairs Canada website.
What should you do if you think your activities could be subject to regulatory control?
If you believe your research project or academic activities may be subject to these regulations, contact ÉTS’s certified designated representatives. They will help you assess your project and ensure that it complies with the applicable regulations.
Please note that information found on this page has been simplified and does not constitute a legal or other type of opinion.