Schumer: Rochester's New Photonics Hub Could Face Significant Obstacles Selling Products Overseas; New Federal Rule Could Jeopardize Growth Of Photonics Industry In Rochester -- Senator Urges Feds To Immediately Scrap Plan That Could Directly Impede Rochester Photonics Companies From Selling Hi-Tech Products For Non-Military Uses

Press Release

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer urged the Department of Defense (DOD), Department of Commerce and Department of State to work together to rewrite a newly proposed rule that would put restrictive limits on exporting optics and photonics industry products. Schumer said this proposed rule comes on the heels of their successful efforts to ensure Rochester was selected to become the new national American Institute for Manufacturing (AIM) Photonics. Specifically, this proposed rule would prevent optics and photonics companies in Rochester from exporting certain products for commercial, non-military purposes around the world by putting them on a list meant to protect sensitive military technology. Schumer said that this rule, by limiting the export of high tech components manufactured by the industry, could block the Rochester photonics industry from accessing vital foreign markets. Schumer said laser and infrared technology, initially used in military devices, have many commercial uses, often in life saving healthcare products. These components should have the appropriate avenues for export approval to allow for their needed use in healthcare and to support U.S.production. If the rule were to be implemented, it would make the U.S. industry less internationally competitive and could force optics and photonics production overseas. Schumer therefore urged these three agencies to work with stake holders in the industry and academia to rewrite the rule in a way that carefully considers national security interests and potential barriers to exporting commercial photonics products.

"This proposed photonics export rule is overly restrictive, and, if implemented, could have a very negative impact on Rochester's and Upstate New York's optics and photonics industries -- at exactly the moment the American Institute for Manufacturing (AIM) Photonics is poised for lift-off. That is why I am calling on the federal government to go back to the drawing board and rewrite this rule so our critical optics and photonics producers are not needlessly put on this restrictive list. Since Rochester will be home to the country's national photonics center of innovation, now is the time to promote the growth of this quickly expanding industry, not constrict it with imprecise federal export rules. These industries employ over 175,000 people nationwide, including more than 15,000 in Rochester alone -- but this proposal could threaten their jobs if manufacturing must be shipped overseas because companies can no longer export their products for commercial, non-military use," said Schumer. "New York has taken a major step forward in leading the world in the development of this high-tech industry, but this rule would take it two steps back."

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