MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) 
Fact Sheet Released by the Bureau of Nonproliferation, 
February 8, 2000, Washington, D.C.
U.S. Department of State




In 1987, seven concerned countries created the Missile Technology Control Regime to
restrict the proliferation of nuclear-capable missiles and related technology. The original
participants in the Regime were Canada, West Germany, France, Italy, Japan, the United
Kingdom and the United States. 

Since 1987, 25 additional countries have become MTCR Partners (members). For a
complete roster of current members, see the attached list. 

The MTCR is not a treaty. The "Regime" consists of a common export policy (MTCR
Guidelines) applied to a common list (MTCR Annex) of controlled items, including virtually
all equipment and technology needed for missile development, production, and operation. 
These multilateral export controls are implemented by each Partner in accordance with its
national legislation. 


The MTCR Guidelines restrict transfers of missiles -- and technology related to missiles --
capable of delivering a payload of at least 500 kg to a distance of at least 300 km. 

The original (1987) Guidelines restricted transfers of nuclear-capable missiles and
related technology. However, in January 1993, the MTCR Partners extended the
Guidelines to cover delivery systems capable of carrying all types of weapons of mass
destruction (chemical and biological weapons, as well as nuclear). 

The MTCR Annex of controlled items is divided into two sections: 

Category I Annex items -- complete missile systems, as well as major subsystems
(e.g., rocket stages, engines, guidance sets, and re-entry vehicles) -- carry a strong
presumption of denial and are rarely licensed for export. In effect, they are not
exported at all to countries of proliferation concern. Transfers of production facilities
for Category I items are prohibited absolutely. 

Category II Annex items -- other missile related components -- can be licensed as
long as they are not destined for an end-use that could contribute to the development
of a missile of MTCR range/payload capability. 

The MTCR Guidelines are open to all nations to implement, and all governments are
encouraged to do so.



MISSILE TECHNOLOGY CONTROL REGIME (MTCR) MEMBERSHIP 
(as of October 1, 1999)
Argentina 
Australia 
Austria 
Belgium 
Brazil 
Canada 
Denmark 
Finland 
France 
Germany 
Greece 
Hungary 
Iceland 
Ireland 
Italy 
Japan 
Luxembourg 
Netherlands 
New Zealand 
Norway 
Portugal 
Russia 
South Africa 
Spain 
Sweden 
Switzerland 
Turkey 
United Kingdom 
United States 

[Bureau of Nonproliferation, US State Department Website, http://www.state.gov/www/global/arms/bureaunp.html.]