Source · Select Committees · Committees on Arms Export Controls
Recommendation 29
29
Acknowledged
While recognising that it is not practicable to carry out post-shipment verification for all exports,...
Recommendation
While recognising that it is not practicable to carry out post-shipment verification for all exports, we recommend that the Government instigate a pilot programme by 2025 of post-shipment verification. This should include on-site inspections to examine the resource implications and potential benefits of post-shipment verification. We agree with our witnesses from SIPRI that a useful starting point for modelling the pilot would be consideration of the Swiss system which uses a country risk matrix and the German system which mostly inspects small arms and light weapons. (Paragraph 86) Countries of concern
Government Response Summary
The government is continuing to explore how it might undertake post-shipment verification activity in the future and will provide an update to the Committees as soon as it is in a position to do so.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
The Government notes the Committees’ recommendation and welcomes the opportunity to respond. We recognise the value of post-shipment verification (PSV) as a complement to pre-licensing checks, and as a means of providing assurance that licensed items are being used for the intended purpose and by the intended end-user. We also understand the Committees’ concerns regarding end-user documentation. The Government has been carefully considering PSV, particularly in the context of our resources. We want to ensure that any activity undertaken would deliver tangible benefits without duplicating existing processes or undermining the wider export control system. We are continuing to explore how we might undertake PSV activity in future. We will provide an update to the Committees as soon as we are in a position to do so.