For instance, it concerns specific measuring and inspection equipment that can be used in the production of advanced semiconductors. Minister Reinette Klever (Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation) announced this on Wednesday in the State Gazette. The expansion of the measure is aimed at a very limited number of technologies and goods.
Minister Klever: It is important that we maintain control over who gets access to which technology. As a cabinet, we closely monitor the technology for semiconductor production. With technological developments, it may be necessary to adjust the rules as well. We are seeing increased safety risks with uncontrolled export of this specific equipment. Therefore, an export permit is now required for this.
The new permit requirement is the second adjustment of the national export control measure that has been in effect since September 1, 2023.
Safety Risks
Until now, the national measure focused on a number of very specific technologies in the semiconductor production cycle, such as so-called lithographic equipment. A limited set of technologies for other steps in the production process is now also subject to permit requirements. The safety risks of uncontrolled export of this technology have increased. It can be combined with technologies from other countries to create advanced semiconductors. Such advanced semiconductors can, in turn, play a significant role in advanced military applications.
Permits
The national permit requirement means that an export permit must now be requested for the export of these technologies. The cabinet decides on each application whether the permit will be granted. The national measure applies to exports from the Netherlands to all destinations outside the EU. There is no export ban in place.
The semiconductor industry is international. The Netherlands plays a unique role in it. It is important that we do not unnecessarily disrupt the chip industry. Therefore, we have been as precise as possible in expanding the export control measure, Klever stated.
Additionally, legal-technical and textual adjustments have been made in the ministerial regulation, among other things to clarify the existing measure for implementing agencies and the industry.