OFAC adopted a final rule (FR Doc 2023-08870) correcting a typographical error in the Iranian Transactions and Sanctions Regulations (31 CFR § 560.528, "insure" → "ensure") and two cross-reference errors in the Western Balkans Stabilization Regulations (31 CFR §§ 588.307 and 588.405). Most substantively, the rule properly incorporates the nongovernmental organizations general license (GL 1) into the WBSR at § 588.512 — that GL was originally issued as a standalone web action on 21 December 2022 but failed to codify due to an error in the amendatory instructions. No new prohibitions or designations are created; the rule formalises existing authorisations and corrects drafting errors.

Analyst notesShow

Mechanism

This rule is purely corrective — it makes no new sanctions policy. Three changes are packaged together:

1. ITSR typo fix (31 CFR § 560.528): A single-word correction: "insure" is replaced with "ensure". The provision in question relates to prohibited dealings with Iran; the intended meaning was never ambiguous, but the CFR text was incorrect. No change in substantive scope.

2. WBSR cross-reference corrections (31 CFR §§ 588.307 and 588.405): Two internal cross-references in the Western Balkans Stabilization Regulations were mis-numbered and are corrected. Again, no change in substantive scope.

3. WBSR NGO General License properly incorporated (§ 588.512): This is the only change with practical effect. On 21 December 2022, OFAC issued an amendment to the WBSR adding a general license authorising certain activities of nongovernmental organisations operating in or supporting the Western Balkans. Due to an error in the amendatory instructions, the GL was not actually inserted into the CFR text. OFAC now fixes the sequence: the second general license previously at § 588.512 is redesignated § 588.513, and the NGO GL is inserted at § 588.512.

The NGO GL authorises US persons to engage in transactions ordinarily prohibited under the WBSR (which targets persons threatening stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia) when those transactions are in support of the activities of nongovernmental organisations, provided the NGO itself is not a blocked person.

Downstream implications

For NGOs operating in the Western Balkans, the correction formalises what was already the intended authorisation since December 2022; no operational change expected.
The WBSR framework (31 CFR part 588) was established in September 2022 to target Republika Srpska-affiliated networks and persons threatening the Dayton Agreement framework; this correction is administrative, not a new enforcement action.
Subsequent WBSR general licenses (GL 2, GL 3, GL 3A, GL 4, GL 5, GL 5A) have since expanded the humanitarian and wind-down carve-outs — those are distinct filings.

Open questions

The December 2022 original web general license for NGOs is not captured as a separate action in the register; this filing serves as the proxy record for that GL's effective policy substance.

Sources

Primary: Federal Register — FR Doc 2023-08870 (effective 2023-04-27)

Secondary: OFAC Recent Actions — 2023-04-26

Loading…

Mechanism

This rule is purely corrective — it makes no new sanctions policy. Three changes are packaged together:

Downstream implications

For NGOs operating in the Western Balkans, the correction formalises what was already the intended authorisation since December 2022; no operational change expected.

The WBSR framework (31 CFR part 588) was established in September 2022 to target Republika Srpska-affiliated networks and persons threatening the Dayton Agreement framework; this correction is administrative, not a new enforcement action.

Subsequent WBSR general licenses (GL 2, GL 3, GL 3A, GL 4, GL 5, GL 5A) have since expanded the humanitarian and wind-down carve-outs — those are distinct filings.