Eric McClafferty is an attorney in private practice who specializes in providing export compliance advice to companies in the fluid handling industries. He also serves as legal counsel to the joint Hydraulic Institute (HI) and Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) International Trade Task Force. Eric has served one year of a four year term as a member of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Technical Advisory Committee covering fluid handling equipment export controls. He can be reached by phone at 202-342-8841. Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice. Rather, it is provided for general information and educational purposes.