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Level Playing Field

FOCUS 3: Level the Playing Field

In today’s global economy, it is more important than ever for AIA’s members to compete on a level playing field, seek out new market opportunities for exports and ensure American aerospace interests and companies participate in and shape the dialogue among all global stakeholders.

Remove Impediments

In 2011, AIA made significant progress with the Obama administration on a number of export control reform priorities - initiating the process of removing non-sensitive, essentially commercial technology from ITAR and making progress on program licensing and technology disclosure rules, three areas of major concern to AIA’s members. In 2012, AIA will work with the administration as it determines what technology can be moved to the Commerce Control List from the U.S. Munitions List. AIA will also work closely with the Defense Department as it considers improving the process for program licensing and implements reform of technology disclosure.

Domestically, AIA will work with the U.S. government to begin implementation of measures to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of U.S. export control policies and practices, including the provisions of the UK and Australian defense trade cooperation treaties and the Missile Technology Control Regime agreement. This will ensure that domestic concerns impacting foreign markets do not adversely affect our ability to compete abroad.

Create Opportunities, Increase Access

In 2012, AIA will engage relevant stakeholders in the administration and Congress on ways to enhance support for defense exports consistent with U.S. national security, foreign policy and economic objectives. In particular, AIA will secure more consistent information about the criteria to overcome the presumption of denial for UAS classified as Category I on the Missile Technology Control Regime.

Despite licensing challenges, AIA will expand its international efforts to support U.S. space manufacturer’s priorities in existing and emerging markets and ensure our industry’s commercial competitiveness worldwide.

AIA will fight for fair international business practices and open trade agreements and expand its support for our companies’ international business development in key markets. Our active involvement in the Commerce Department’s NextGen Vendors Group will ensure U.S. manufacturers of NextGen products and services will compete internationally. These are critically important ingredients for the industry’s economic recovery and growth.

In 2011, AIA worked with ASD and ADS to educate European officials responsible for implementing the European Union’s Registration, Evaluation and Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals regulation (REACh) of the unique conditions associated with the aerospace industry’s needs. We must ensure that restricted chemical substance alternatives are compatible with other materials and certified to meet multiple customer requirements associated with product safety. In 2012, AIA will continue to press its concerns regarding international chemical regulations and urge our trading partners to maintain a fair regulatory framework for all market players.

Goal 1: Remove U.S. impediments to industry competitiveness overseas		Secure more efficient and predictable State Department licensing of U.S. exports Ensure appropriate levels and types of control applied to export transactions
Goal 2: Increase open and fair business activity in foreign markets		Promote a level playing field for exports to strengthen the U.S. industrial base Preserve and increase access to the international marketplace for U.S. industry Foster AIA recognition by government authorities and international bodies through leadership in key venues and improving functional elements of committee coordination Advocate AIA’s position on Safety Management System (SMS) rulemaking, European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Fees & Charges and Organizational Designation Authorization (ODA) Improvement Ensure global chemical management regulations and policies (similar to and including European REACh) for manufacturing related environmental issues have an achievable means of compliance