What primary role does the BIS play in export regulations?

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) primarily focuses on the regulation of exports to ensure that sensitive technologies, goods, and services are not misused or fall into the hands of adversaries. One of its key functions is the issuance of export licenses, which are necessary for exporting specific items that are subject to regulation due to their potential implications for national security and foreign policy. This involves reviewing applications to export controlled items and determining whether the export aligns with U.S. law and policy objectives.

Monitoring finished goods or classifying defense articles may involve other agencies or departments, but the issuance of export licenses is central to the BIS's mission to control exports and ensure compliance with both domestic and international regulations. This makes the role of issuing export licenses a defining responsibility of the BIS in export regulations.