ITAR Compliant PCB Manufacturer
What is ITAR?
The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) is a set of regulations that govern the export and re-export of certain controlled commodities, services, and, most importantly, technologies. In order to be controlled under ITAR as a defense article, a given component, subcomponent, part, assembly, subassembly, or integrated system must have been specifically designed, developed, configured, adapted, or modified for a military application controlled under the United States Munitions List.
It also restricts sensitive information and technologies to only to be shared with US Citizens unless special approval is granted. In summary, this regulation makes sure that anything to do with US proprietary defense secrets are not shared with anyone that our government has deemed not authorized to see or be in possession of. Including non-US citizens in the US.
ITAR Compliance vs. ITAR Registered
ITAR requires that any person (company) who engages in the business of manufacturing defense articles or furnishing defense services is required to register and keep their registration current with the United States Department of State. Epec Engineered Technologies is registered with the Department of State.
Many companies claim that they are ITAR compliant, but haven't taken the proper steps to register with the Department of State. If you manage ITAR materials, it is your responsibility to assure that all of your suppliers have the proper registrations and follow the ITAR procedures. The Department of State interprets and enforces ITAR. Its goal is to safeguard US national security and further US foreign policy objectives.
Epec's ITAR Commitment
Being a global manufacturer of build to print products, ITAR compliance requires a significant commitment from management and a substantial investment in systems. Epec's management has committed by investing in separate and secure IT resources that ensure that all of our ITAR data is stored in a manner that far exceeds the ITAR requirement.
Epec's ITAR PCB Manufacturing
Because our roots are in PCB manufacturing, we have traditionally focused most of our ITAR work in printed circuit boards as printed circuit boards fall under Item 14—Category II of the United States Munitions List. Our factory located in Detroit, MI focuses solely on quick turn, ITAR and military work. This focus has allowed us to be profitable and to invest in the right equipment and people to allow us to exceed our customers' expectations.
Understanding ITAR & Your Supply Chain
Epec has long been an industry leader in supply chain management and we have used our many years of experience to develop processes and procedures that assure ITAR compliance today and well into the future. As a company that deals in ITAR articles it is our responsibility to make sure that all of our subcontractors, employees, directors and sales representatives understand the compliance is not optional. Our auditing process allows us to systematically check all of the effected parties to assure compliance. This is another way that we add value to our customers.
What happens if you are not in compliance with ITAR?
The Arms Export Control Act (AECA) provides for criminal penalties of up to 10 years in prison and $1 million in fines for each violation. In addition, the AECA provides for civil penalties of up to $500,000 per violation and debarment from future exports. In FY 2006, law enforcement agencies initiated criminal actions pursuant to the AECA and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that resulted in 119 arrests, 92 indictments and 60 convictions.
Epec is serious about ITAR
We spent over 7 months reviewing and developing our ITAR management plan to assure that we did not miss any of these details.
