For Immediate Release
June 13, 2000

Revised Microprocessor Export Rules Announced by Commerce Department

WASHINGTON -- The Department of Commerce today published updated rules to revise export controls on general-purpose microprocessors from the current control level of 3500 MTOPS (million theoretical operations per second) to 4500 MTOPS.

The regulations were published in today's Federal Register and take effect immediately. The Department, in consultation with other agencies, will continue to examine the performance of microprocessors and may adjust these control levels again in the near future in response to further technological advances.

"Today's changes will allow U.S. businesses to keep pace with the realities of the international marketplace," said Commerce Assistant Secretary for Export Administration Roger Majak.

"Microprocessors are highly portable, widely distributed in mass market quantities, and used in almost every PC or business computer setup," he said.

Controls will be maintained on higher performance microprocessors sold in small quantities for high-end computer and other applications. Controls on application-specific microprocessors that have military applications and that are sold in relatively small quantities also remain unchanged.

The Department of Commerce, through its Bureau of Export Administration, administers and enforces export controls for reasons of national security, foreign policy, nonproliferation and short supply.