The FDA this week alerted industry about changes to its Export Listing Module for applications related to seafood exports to Saudi Arabia.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network began accepting beneficial ownership information reports Jan. 1 as part of its new BOI reporting requirements, which are designed to help the government prevent sanctioned parties and others from hiding money or property in the U.S. FinCEN last week released a notice that outlines reporting deadlines for new and existing companies and what information must be submitted. The agency also released a set of frequently asked questions to provide guidance on the new reporting requirements, including who is responsible for filing and how FinCEN will enforce the requirements.

The Commerce Department announced on Jan. 4 that it has agreed to provide about $162 million to Microchip Technology under the Chips Act to nearly triple semiconductor production at the company’s facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Gresham, Oregon.

The State Department approved a potential $147.5 million military sale to Israel, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 29. The sale includes “M107 155mm projectiles” and related equipment, which will be provided from U.S. Army stock.

The Fish and Wildlife Service released a final rule Dec. 28 listing the black-capped petrel (Pterodroma hasitata), a pelagic seabird species that nests on the island of Hispaniola and spends the rest of its life at sea, as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. New import and export restrictions set by the agency’s final rule take effect Jan. 29.

The State Department this week announced another military assistance package for Ukraine, providing up to $250 million of arms and equipment under previously directed drawdowns. The package includes air defense munitions, air defense system components, more ammunition for "high mobility artillery rocket systems," 155mm and 105mm artillery ammunition, anti-armor munitions and more than 15 million rounds of ammunition.

The Commerce Department clarified this week that companies can’t use Chips Act funding to invest in certain new semiconductor facilities in China and other countries of concern, saying some companies may have thought the rules blocked only certain investments in existing facilities.

The State Department recently approved three potential military sales worth nearly $2 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls may be delayed in responding to queries sent to its help desk and response team this week as it catches up to industry inquiries submitted during the holidays, the agency said. Because of the government closure Dec. 25 “and depending on volume of inquires received, responses may be delayed through the following week,” DDTC said. “The processing of classified provisos for delivery may also be delayed.”

The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on the impact of the Chemical Weapons Convention on commercial activities during 2023. The agency is specifically looking for feedback on how activities involving Schedule 1 chemicals were affected to determine whether CWC decisions "harmed" the “legitimate commercial activities and interests of chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical firms” this year. Comments are due by Jan. 19.