WA, Wassenaar Arrangement
In the context of export controls, WA is the abbreviation for “Wassenaar Arrangement”. It is the short name for the Wassenaar Arrangement on Export Controls for Conventional Arms and Dual-Use Goods and Technologies and stands for the control of international trade in strategically important dual-use goods and weapons.
It is one of four multilateral export control regimes (MECR) and has 42 participating states around the world (status July 2020). The WA was established on July 12, 1996, in Wassenaar, the Netherlands.
The WA was established to contribute to regional and international security and stability. With this goal, the WA is by promoting transparency and greater responsibility in transfers of conventional arms and dual-use goods and technologies. Measures under the Wassenaar Arrangement aim to ensure that transfers of such items do not contribute to the development or enhancement of military capabilities (directly or indirectly).