Summary

In December 2008, the European Parliament approved the Intra-EU Transfers Directive, a set of new laws with a twofold aim: first, reforming European licensing procedures for the transfer of defense articles within the EU, and second, introducing common criteria for the certification of defense companies. The Transfers Directive is one part of the so-called "EC Defense Package" that also comprises the EU Directive on Defense Procurement. The objective of the Transfers Directive is to create an area where military goods and components can circulate more freely between EU Member States, on the basis of a harmonized European licensing system aimed at reducing the number of individual licenses to the benefit of General Licenses. This initiative is also complementary to the recently adopted EU Common Rules on Governing the Control of Exports of Military Technology and Equipment outside the EU. Both initiatives are aimed at strengthening the European Defense Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB) and creating a more secure and harmonized European defense market. Comments are included at the end of the report.