Control lists

The core of export control is the three control lists annexed to the Export Control Regulation. Lists I, II and III specify which goods, technology, and services are subject to licensing requirements. As an exporter, you must be familiar with these control lists and use them to classify what you intend to export.

The control lists are annexes to the Export Control Regulations. The lists provide an overview of which products and technologies are subject to export control. Currently, there are three control lists: List I for defence related goods, List II for dual-use items, and List III for certain critical or emerging technologies.

As an exporter, you are expected to conduct your own assessment to determine whether an item, technology, or service is subject to export control. You can read more about self-assessment here.

The contents of List I and List II, which are updated regularly, are the outcomes of negotiations within the international export control regimes of which Norway is a member. In these regimes, all member countries make decisions by consensus on what should be controlled and commit to implementing this uniformly. The lists are compiled by the EU to ensure they are legally binding for the Union’s member states. Norway uses the EU’s control lists to ensure that we understand and implement the control in a manner as consistent as possible with other European countries. The annexes to the Norwegian regulations are updated when new lists are issued, typically once a year.

Control List I applies to military products. This includes weapons, ammunition, and other defence related goods. The control list consists of 22 categories of defence related goods, e.g., ML3, which covers ammunition and fuze mechanisms. The ML category stands for “Military List.” Each category contains more specific classifications, e.g., ML3.a, which refers to ammunition designed for firearms classified under categories ML1, ML2, or ML12.

Control List II applies to what we call dual-use goods. Dual-use goods are items primarily intended for civilian purposes, but which also have military applications. Control List II consists of 10 categories of dual-use goods, e.g., Category 6, which includes sensors and lasers. Each category contains more specific classifications, e.g., 6A001, acoustic systems, with further descriptions provided in the subpoints listed.

Control List III covers critical or emerging technologies for which a licence requirement has been established. The list includes certain critical goods and technologies that are not currently controlled under Control List II for dual-use goods but have been subject to national controls in Norway since 1 November 2024. The list includes, among other things, goods and technologies for the production of advanced microchips and quantum computers.

Main Categories for Goods and Technology on the Lists

ML1	Smooth-bore weapons with a calibre of less than 20 mm, other arms and automatic weapons with a calibre of 12.7 mm (calibre 0.50 inches) or less and accessories, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML2	Smooth-bore weapons with a calibre of 20 mm or more, other weapons or armament with a calibre greater than 12.7 mm (calibre 0.50 inches), projectors specially designed or modified for military use and accessories, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML3	Ammunition and fuze setting devices, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML4	Bombs, torpedoes, rockets, missiles, other explosive devices and charges and related equipment and accessories, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML5	Fire control, surveillance and warning equipment, and related systems, test and alignment and countermeasure equipment, as follows, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories therefor
ML6	Ground vehicles and components, as follows
ML7	Chemical agents, “biological agents”, “riot control agents”, radioactive materials, related equipment, components and materials
ML8	“Energetic materials” and related substances, as follows
ML9	Vessels of war (surface or underwater), special naval equipment, accessories, components and other surface vessels
ML10	“Aircraft”, “lighter-than-air vehicles”, “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles” (“UAVs”), aero-engines and “aircraft” equipment, related equipment, and components, as follows, specially designed or modified for military use
ML11	Electronic equipment, “spacecraft” and components, not specified elsewhere on the EU Common Military List
ML12	High velocity kinetic energy weapon systems and related equipment, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML13	Armoured or protective equipment, constructions, components, and accessories
ML14	Specialised equipment for military training or for simulating military scenarios, simulators specially designed for training in the use of any firearm or weapon specified by ML1 or ML2, and specially designed components and accessories therefor
ML15	Imaging or countermeasure equipment, as follows, specially designed for military use, and specially designed components and accessories therefor
ML16	Forgings, castings and other unfinished products, specially designed for items specified by ML1 to ML4, ML6, ML9, ML10, ML12 or ML19
ML17	Miscellaneous equipment, materials and “libraries”, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML18	Production equipment, environmental test facilities and components
ML19	Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) systems, related or countermeasure equipment and test models, as follows, and specially designed components therefor
ML20	Cryogenic and “superconductive” equipment, as follows, and specially designed components and accessories therefor
ML21	Software
ML22	Technology

List II consists of 10 categories of goods (0-9), with five subcategories (A-E). The categories 0-9 are listed below. Goods, technology, and services requiring licence covered by List II are classified in formats such as 6A001, 7A003d, etc. The numbering indicates the category, subcategory, export control regime, and a sequential number for the item.

Category 0	Nuclear materials, facilities and equipment
Category 1	Special materials and related equipment
Category 2	Materials processing
Category 3	Electronics
Category 4	Computers
Category 5	Telecommunications and “information security”
Category 6	Sensors and lasers
Category 7	Navigation and avionics
Category 8	Marine
Category 9	Aerospace and propulsion

The goods and technologies listed by Norway under Control List III are considered critical or emerging technologies of such significance that they warrant control. The list is expected to expand in the future to include more goods and technologies. Similar listings have been adopted by countries such as Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom. To ensure effective control over these goods and technologies, it is crucial that as many countries as possible implement the same controls to prevent circumvention.

Control List III includes goods and technologies in the following categories:
- Materials and material processing
- Electronics
- Computers