France’s new export controls on quantum computers, quantum technologies, and advanced electronic components took effect on March 1, 2024, following the publication of the Export Controls Order 02-2024 (Arrêté du 2 février 2024) in the Official Journal of the French Republic on February 8, 2024. The order was issued by the French Minister of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty under Article 9 of EU Regulation 2021/821, which permits EU member states to impose additional export authorization requirements for reasons of public security.
As of March 1, exporters were required to obtain a license from the French dual-use authority, the Service des biens à double usage (SBDU), to export controlled quantum and semiconductor items from France to any non-EU country. The controlled items included quantum computers supporting various tiers of qubits (from 34 to 2,000 physical qubits, with specified error rate thresholds), qubit devices and circuits, quantum control and measurement components, and related software and technology. Advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment was also covered.
According to legal analysis by Hogan Lovells, France was not the first EU country to adopt such national measures. The Netherlands imposed semiconductor export controls in 2023, and Spain introduced quantum computer export controls the same year. The French controls were linked to the EU’s Economic Security Strategy, which identified advanced semiconductors and quantum technologies as two of four critical technology areas.
The French controls did not include additive manufacturing technologies, distinguishing them from similar UK controls that were issued on March 11, 2024. Companies operating in advanced technology and quantum industries with supply chains involving France were advised to assess the impact on their organizations and broader export activities.