Export Control Liaisons,
Over the past several years, we have seen a steady increase in inquiries from government stakeholders—including Congress—about research activities across the national laboratory complex. Many of you may have come across the December 17, 2025, report from the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, which raised questions about alleged collaborations between the Department of Energy and China’s military.
After a thorough review, we can confirm that Berkeley Lab has not violated any DOE policies or federal export control regulations in connection with those matters. At the same time, it is clear that external interest in federally funded research is growing, and we should expect that trend to continue.
With that in mind, the Research Compliance Office is developing a practical reference guide – anticipated for release in April – to help researchers proactively protect both their research and their professional reputation in publications. The actions outlined in the guide are recommendations – not mandatory – intended to support informed decision-making.
One of the recommendations is to conduct restricted party screening through Visual Compliance prior to engaging with external collaborators. Researchers can request access to Visual Compliance directly. However, as Export Control Liaisons, you also play an important role in supporting and facilitating this process within your divisions. We truly appreciate your partnership and your willingness to serve as a resource to your colleagues as we roll out this effort.