On June 23, 2022, the UK introduced a series of further trade restrictions in relation to Russia, including in connection with certain security-related goods and technology, iron and steel products, communications interception and monitoring services, jet fuel and fuel additives, UK or EU currency banknotes and a broad category of “revenue generating goods” which includes a range of items used by various industries. The UK supplemented these measures with additional asset-freezing sanctions on June 29.

This alert summarizes these new sanctions measures and touches upon further recent UK sanctions developments, including proposals for further restrictions on the import of gold into the UK and Russian access to UK trusts services.

New Trade Restrictions

The Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 10) Regulations 2022 further amended the UK’s Russia sanctions Regulations (the “UK-Russia Regulations”) to introduce the new trade restrictions outlined, which came into force on June 23, 2022.

Defence and security goods and technology

It is prohibited for persons subject to UK sanctions jurisdiction to export, supply, deliver or make available certain defence and security goods to Russia or for use in Russia, or to a person connected with Russia (i.e., an individual or group of individuals ordinarily resident or located in Russia, or an entity incorporated under Russian law or domiciled in Russia). The category of “defence and security goods and technology” comprises:

Interception and monitoring services

The new UK measures also render it prohibited to provide (directly or indirectly) interception and monitoring services to or for the benefit of the Russian Government, where “interception and monitoring services,” which is defined to include “any service that has as its object or effect the interception of a communication in the course of its transmission by means of a telecommunications system.” 

Maritime goods and technology

It now similarly prohibited under the UK sanctions to export, supply, deliver or make maritime goods and technology, or associated services, available for placing on a Russian-flagged vessel.  Maritime goods and technology are defined with reference to Chapter 4 and 5 of Annex 1 of the Merchant Shipping Notice 1874. The new regulations include a defence in circumstances where a given person  did not know and had no reasonable cause to suspect that the relevant goods or technology was to be provided to a Russian-flagged vessel. 

The regulation also includes exemptions in relation to the provision of maritime goods and technology for: non-military use for a non-military user; humanitarian assistance activity; addressing a health emergency; urgent prevention or mitigation of an event likely to have a serious or significant impact on human health and safety or on the environment; or, providing a response to a natural disaster.

Iron and steel products

The existing restrictions on the import or acquisition from Russia or the supply or delivery to Russia of iron and steel products (as listed at Schedule 3B to the UK-Russia Regulations) have been extended to also include a prohibition on the provision of related technical assistance, financial services and funds and brokering services.

Banknotes

The new regulations render it prohibited to supply or deliver to a person connected with Russia, or make available to a person connected with Russia or for use in Russia, banknotes denominated in UK pounds sterling or any other official currency of the EU.

Jet fuel or fuel additives

It is now similarly prohibited to make available to a person connected with Russia or for use in Russia jet fuel or fuel additives (as listed in Part 8, Schedule 2A to the UK-Russia Regulations).  The provision of related technical assistance, financial services or funds or brokering services is also prohibited.

Revenue generating goods

Restrictions have also been introduced on a broad range of items that fall under the category of “revenue generating goods” that originate in or are consigned from Russia. It is prohibited to import such items from Russia or acquire those which originate in Russia, or are located in Russia, or to supply or deliver such items from Russia to the UK. The provision of related technical assistance, financial services or funds or brokering services is also prohibited. There are exceptions from these restrictions for relevant goods consigned from Russia prior to June 23, 2022, and those imported into the UK before July 10, 2022.

“Revenue generating goods” subject to these restrictions are set out in Schedule 3D to the UK-Russia Regulations and include a wide range of items listed with reference to customs codes, including for example: crustaceans; caviar; cement; certain chemical products, phosphates and hydrocarbons; fertilisers; wood; glass; silver; aluminium; propellers; gas turbines (and parts); various vessels (cruise ships, ferries, cargo ships, tugboats, and light vessels); and, furniture.

Further restrictions on the non-government controlled Ukrainian territory

A number of restrictions have also been extended to apply to the non-government controlled territory in Ukraine (Crimea and non-government controlled parts of Donetsk and Luhansk), including (1) the foregoing restrictions concerning the export, supply, delivery or making available of defence and security goods and technology (and related services); and trade restrictions relating to military goods and technology (as listed in Schedule 2 to the Export Control Order 2008).

Expansion of existing restrictions

Finally, a number of changes have been made to categories of goods subject to existing restrictions under the UK-Russia Regulations:

New UK Sanctions Designations

On June 29, 2022, UK HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) designated eight individuals and five entities for the purposes of UK asset-freezing sanctions under the UK-Russia Regulations. The new designations target businesspeople that hold leadership positions in a number of major Russian and Belarussian companies in the construction, energy, financial and mining sectors and certain companies in those sectors.  Significant designations include:

  • General Licence allowing the “wind down of positions involving Rosbank”, which permits persons or entities other than Rosbank or its subsidiaries to wind down transactions with Rosbank (including closing out positions, repaying loans, withdrawal of deposits and closing of accounts) up to July 30, 2022 (i.e., one month from the date of issue).

Further UK Sanctions Developments

Restrictions on gold imports from Russia

On June 26, 2022, the UK Government announced that the UK (alongside Canada, the U.S. and Japan) would introduce restrictions on new exports of Russian gold in order to prevent Russian “oligarchs rushing to buy gold bullion in an attempt to avoid the financial impact of western sanctions”. The announcement confirmed that the restrictions will apply to newly mined or refined gold and will not impact Russian-origin gold previously exported from Russia. At present, the legislation implementing this proposed restriction has not been introduced but the government announcement indicates the ban “will come into force shortly”.

Restrictions on Russian access to UK trusts services

On June 29, 2022, in a press release confirming the further designations imposed (outlined above), the UK Government announced plans to work “alongside international allies” to impose new measures designed to “prevent Russia from accessing UK trusts services”, whereby persons (individuals or entities) can manage the assets of another. The announcement did not provide further details concerning the precise nature of the measures that would be introduced in order to deny Russia access to UK trust services and it remains unclear when this restriction will be implemented. (The EU has already implemented a restriction on trust services in relation to Russia, set forth in Article 5m of Council Regulation No. 833/2014.)

OFSI Update

On June 22, 2022, the Director of OFSI, Giles Thomson, appeared before the House of Commons Treasury Committee to give evidence on the effectiveness of the UK’s Russia sanctions regime. Commenting upon plans to increase OFSI’s resources (outlined in our previous alert), Thomson confirmed that OFSI currently has a staff of “approximately 70 people” and that there are plans for this number to further increase to around 100 employees by the end of the current financial year at the end of March 2023. Thomson also stated that “enforcement cases will increasingly become a priority for [OFSI]” and that he anticipates litigation in relation to such enforcement actions. Thomson said that he is aware that there have already been legal challenges to sanctions designations under the UK-Russia Regulations and that OFSI and others responsible for administering the UK sanctions regimes are planning for further such challenges. 

*           *           *

We are closely monitoring developments concerning the U.S., UK, and EU sanctions against and export controls targeting Russia, and will issue further updates in the event of material developments. In the meantime, we would be happy to address any questions you may have.

Covington’s International Trade Controls team—which includes lawyers in the firm’s offices in the United States, London, Brussels, and Frankfurt—regularly advises clients across business sectors, and would be well-placed to provide support in connection with the evolving Russia sanctions and export controls.

Our trade controls lawyers also work closely with Covington’s Global Public Policy team which consists of over 120 former diplomats and policymakers in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Many of the members of the Public Policy team have had substantial government experience in sanctions and export controls matters, and regularly advise our clients on emerging trade controls policy matters and related engagements with government stakeholders.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of David Lorello David Lorello

David Lorello is a partner in the firm’s London office and serves as a vice chair of the firm’s International Trade and Finance practice group.  Mr. Lorello advises clients concerning a range of international regulatory, white collar, and commercial matters under both European…

David Lorello is a partner in the firm’s London office and serves as a vice chair of the firm’s International Trade and Finance practice group.  Mr. Lorello advises clients concerning a range of international regulatory, white collar, and commercial matters under both European and U.S. laws.  Mr. Lorello is recognized in the leading peer review publications for his work on trade controls and anti-corruption compliance and investigations matters, with Chambers Global describing Mr. Lorello as a “compliance authority” in those areas.

Anti-Corruption Compliance and Investigations

Mr. Lorello regularly assists clients in investigating anti-corruption compliance issues arising under the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act and other related U.S., UK, and European anti-bribery and anti-money laundering laws.Mr. Lorello has particular experience in managing corporate investigations and developing anti-corruption compliance programs for companies operating in Europe, including coordinating advice concerning parallel risks under U.S. and European anti-corruption laws, advising clients concerning European criminal enforcement and debarment risks, and ensuring compliance with European data protection and workplace laws in the course of investigations and compliance matters.

Mr. Lorello also regularly represents clients before the World Bank, and other international financial institutions, in debarment proceedings concerning allegations of corrupt practices in connection with contracts financed by those institutions. In addition, Mr. Lorello advises clients concerning the commercial liability risks arising from corrupt practices, including private rights of action that may arise for parties that suffer losses as a result of corrupt practices.

Export Controls and Economic Sanctions

Mr. Lorello regularly represents clients before the major agencies responsible for export controls and economic sanctions laws and regulations, both in the United States and European Union. He has assisted clients in export and sanctions licensing and compliance issues with regard to a variety of industries and products, including encryption and other computer technologies, satellites, oil and gas products, military items, and other goods and technology controlled for export due to national security reasons. Mr. Lorello has extensive experience assisting clients in developing effective export compliance strategies, including preparing export license requests, voluntary self-disclosures and intra-company agreements as well as policies necessary to ensure export controls and economic sanctions compliance.

Mr. Lorello has particular experience in assisting clients in economic sanctions matters relating to the financial services industry. He has represented financial services clients in various matters before U.S. and EU Member State regulators, and he has worked with financial services clients in developing tailored internal controls focused on economic sanctions compliance.

Photo of Lisa Peets Lisa Peets

Lisa Peets leads the Technology Regulatory and Policy practice in the London office and is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Lisa divides her time between London and Brussels, and her practice embraces regulatory counsel and legislative advocacy. In this context, she…

Lisa Peets leads the Technology Regulatory and Policy practice in the London office and is a member of the firm’s Management Committee. Lisa divides her time between London and Brussels, and her practice embraces regulatory counsel and legislative advocacy. In this context, she has worked closely with leading multinationals in a number of sectors, including many of the world’s best-known technology companies.

Lisa counsels clients on a range of EU law issues, including data protection and related regimes, copyright, e-commerce and consumer protection, and the rapidly expanding universe of EU rules applicable to existing and emerging technologies. Lisa also routinely advises clients in and outside of the technology sector on trade related matters, including EU trade controls rules.

According to the latest edition of Chambers UK (2022), “Lisa is able to make an incredibly quick legal assessment whereby she perfectly distils the essential matters from the less relevant elements.” “Lisa has subject matter expertise but is also able to think like a generalist and prioritise. She brings a strategic lens to matters.”

Photo of Thomas McGuire Thomas McGuire

Thomas McGuire is a trainee solicitor in Covingon & Burling’s London Office.

He received a B.A. from The University of Sheffield and a M.A. from King’s College London.