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This article applies to:

  • Product: ONESOURCE Global Trade

Important notice: Upcoming update to Japan ECN English format in ONESOURCE Global Trade

Date of publication: May 8, 2026
We are writing to inform you of an upcoming update to the
English display format of Japan Export Control Numbers (ECNs)
 in ONESOURCE Global Trade.
This is a
formatting change only
. It does
not
 change Japan's export control regulations, control criteria, licensing obligations, or item classifications.
We are providing at least
three months' notice
 before implementation so that you have time to review any internal systems, reports, or processes that reference these English ECN values.

Lists affected

This update applies to ECNs in the following Japan lists in ONESOURCE Global Trade:
List Name
Estimated Number of Codes Affected
Japan Export Control Order (ECO) / Appendix 1
~400–450 codes
Japan Foreign Exchange Order (FEO)
~40–45 codes

What is changing

We will update the English ECN format to replace the Japanese connector「の」with parentheses ( ) in the English representation of affected Japan ECNs. For example:
  • 3.2 will become
    3(2)
  • 3.2.2.9 will become
    3(2).2.9

Why we are making this change

This update removes ambiguity in the English format.
Under the current format, different Japanese ECNs can produce the same English ECN. For example, 「３項（２）」 and 「３の２項」 are different ECNs, but both may appear as 3.2 in English. Using parentheses makes these distinctions clear and consistent.
The examples below illustrate the change across both lists:
Japan Export Control Order (ECO) / Appendix 1
Current English ECN
New English ECN
Description
Japanese Full Structure ECN for Reference
3.2
3(2)
Biological Weapons
第３の２項
3.2.2.9
3(2).2.9
Apparatus for synthesizing nucleic acids or combining nucleic acids
第３の２項（２）９
3.2.2.9-2.2.2.9
3(2).2.9-2(2).2.9
Automated nucleic acid synthesizer designed to generate nucleic acids exceeding 1.5 kilobases with error rate less than 5%
第３の２項（２）９-第２の２条第２項第９号
Japan Foreign Exchange Order (FEO)
Current English ECN
New English ECN
Description
Japanese Full Structure ECN for Reference
15.5.2
15.5(2)
Technology for underwater sonar navigation systems (excluding those listed in 3)
第１５項（５の２）
3.2.2
3(2).2
Technology related to design, manufacture or use of goods listed in Item 2, Section 3 of the Export Control Order
第３の２項（２）
4.1-16.1.1.2
4.1-16.1.1(2)
Program designed to operate, maintain or inspect cargo under Article 3, item 2, or technology related to its design, manufacture or use
第４項（１）-第１６条第１項第１の２号

What is not changing

This update does
not
 affect:
  • Japan's export control laws or legal text
  • the Japanese full-structure ECN numbering, which is already available alongside English ECNs
  • item classifications
  • control criteria or technical scope
  • licensing requirements or outcomes
No reclassification of items is required as a result of this change.

What you may need to do

If your organization stores or uses English ECNs, we recommend reviewing any affected references before go-live, including:
  • internal classification systems or databases
  • automated workflows or integrations
  • reports, extracts, or documentation
  • search, matching, or parsing logic based on current ECN formatting

Timing & documentation

  • Implementation will occur
    no earlier than three months (6 August 2026) from this notification
  • Release notes will be provided before go-live
  • Detailed guidance, including a full mapping of current and new English ECNs, will be published in the Help Center before implementation

Questions & support

If you have any questions about this update or would like to discuss the impact on your specific setup, please contact your account team or reach out through the Help Center.
Thomson Reuters Global Trade Management | Export Control Content Team