Which statement best describes the scope difference between ITAR and EAR?

• A. ITAR controls civil aircraft components and general consumer goods
• B. ITAR controls only weapon systems
• C. EAR controls only military articles
• D. ITAR governs defense articles and related data; EAR governs dual-use and civilian items with potential military applications

Answer: (D)

Understanding what each regulatory regime covers helps here. ITAR regulates defense articles and related data—the items specifically designed or configured for military or intelligence use, along with the technical data and defense services associated with those articles. EAR, on the other hand, regulates dual-use items—goods, software, and technologies that have legitimate civilian purposes but could also enable military or weapons applications—plus some civilian items with potential military uses, all governed by the Commerce Control List. So the best description is that ITAR governs defense articles and related data, while EAR governs dual-use and civilian items with potential military applications. The other options oversimplify or misstate the scope by suggesting ITAR covers only weapon systems or consumer goods, or that EAR covers only military articles.