Sweden To Introduce More Stringent Munitions Export Controls in April 2018
The Swedish government recently proposed stricter rules on munitions exports. The proposal indicates that the Government of Sweden will evaluate a destination country's democratic status as part of the arms export licensing criteria. It would make it more difficult to export munitions to authoritarian regimes and would prohibit exports to destinations where there are serious violations of human rights or infringements on democratic principles. Also, Swedish authorities would analyze whether the export is contrary to sustainable development in the destination country.
Sweden's Inspectorate of Strategic Products (ISP) is responsible for advising the government in this regard, and ISP will advise and propose the establishment of any reforms needed to prevent unauthorized transfers of munitions items. Sweden is also evaluating the ways to consolidate the munitions guidelines, so that they conform with all of Sweden's international obligations and requirements. The new rules are proposed to come into effect on 15 April 2018.
For more information, see: http://www.government.se/press-releases/2017/06/stricter-rules-for-arms-exports/
and Sweden's recently published 2016 annual report on strategic export control:
