Regular readers of this blog know that an occasional feature is highlighting press releases by companies that have received their registration number from the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (“DDTC”) and that can’t resist engaging in, shall we say, a little creative elaboration on the significance of registration. Hey, we’ve spent all that money on the registration fee, we ought to get something from it, right?

The latest installment in this feature comes from EPE Corporation, which issued this press release:

EPE Corporation, an EMS provider, announced that they have received their official International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) registration from the US Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. … Companies receiving this certification demonstrate that they have knowledge and understanding to fully comply with the AECE and ITAR as well as having corporate procedures and controls in place to ensure compliance.

Has DDTC started administering a test for potential registrants? When is the next one being held?

But wait, there’s more:

To EPE, ITAR registration represents our ongoing commitment to supporting the continued success of our homeland security and defense customers by providing the most secure environment possible.

Why stop there? Why not go the whole nine yards and claim that registration permits the company to give a free pony to each of its customers?

All kidding aside, registration is required for all manufacturers and exporters of defense articles, but obtaining that registration does not represent any endorsement by DDTC that the registrant meets any standard other than the ability to fill out a short form and send it in with the required fees. At most, registration proves that the registrant was aware of the registration requirement. I suppose one might say that this elevates the registrant a little bit above those companies that aren’t even aware of that requirement, but it’s a far cry from demonstrating that the company has “corporate procedures and controls in place to ensure compliance.”

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