680 advice
• A mandatory requirement for List X companies. It authorises the release of UK classified
information in a marketing campaign and indicates HMG’s attitude toward a future export licence application.
• HMG will not support a promotional campaign without an F680 being in place.
• It is a mandatory pre-requisite of several Open General Export Licences.
• It serves as a surrogate export licence for Government Agencies.
When do I need a 680?
• Under the terms of the Manual of Protective Security, a 680 is a mandatory requirement for:
- promotion and contract negotiation relating to classified equipment, or
- which would require the release of classified information about non-classified
equipment, or
- for equipment which had not yet received a classification ruling from UK MoD, and
• 680s are also a mandatory requirement for:
- for the use of some Open General Export Licences.
• 680s are also highly advisable also for:
- seeking to avoid nugatory effort pursuing business opportunities for which a licence
would subsequently be refused;
- enhancing the potential customer’s comfort factor feeling that a licence would be
issued by HMG;
- more expeditious processing of the subsequent export licence application
http://www.berr.gov.uk/whatwedo/europeandtrade/strategic-export-control/licensing-policy/guidance/page8721.html
How does the 680 System work?
• 680 applications are handled by Export Policy & Assurance (EPA) at the UK MoD,
and not by the Export Control Organisation at the BIS
• The 680 application needs to state a specific customer/recipient organisation, and not
just a destination country.
• Since 1 August 2005, applications are now made direct to EPA and one application
can cover several countries.
• EPA staff acknowledge the application and pass it to a range of Government advisers
who will then consider whether to approve or refuse.
• Target is to process 60% of cases within 30 working days – this is currently (Autumn
2005) being met.
• EPA handled around 3,400 applications in 2004.
How do I apply for a 680?
• You can use the ECO’s SPIRE system to apply for 680s.
https://www.spire.bis.gov.uk/