The U.S. has introduced new prohibitions governing the export of medical devices to North Korea, which an expert said likely target dual-use equipment that could support Pyongyang’s weapons programs.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) published a list of medical and laboratory equipment generally prohibited for export to the DPRK last week. The list included diagnostic medical imaging equipment, carbon dioxide incubators, fluorescence microscopes and full face mask respirators. 

Those wishing to export the listed items to North Korea will require specific approval from OFAC, according to OFAC.

The restrictions, which went into effect on Thursday, come