Monitoring Emerging Technologies Through TIM Dual-Use: The case of 3D printing technology

Physical goods are not the only items subject to strategic trade controls. Also technology, which might take the form of knowledge, technical assistance, or technical data such as digital build files, when transferred it is submitted to previous export authorization. It is the technology which allows a country to indigenize the production of dual-use sensitive material and become autonomous. That is why it is so important to monitor and when appropriate to prevent technology transfers.
As emerging technology, 3D printing and more generally additive manufacturing machine tools are not controlled as such. However, some export controls apply to some production equipment and key parts (e.g. specific high-powered lasers and metallic powders). The case-study highlighted the rapid evolution of this technology and how the TIM Dual-Use platform may help monitoring technological trends and countries/organisations capacities.