It is hard to know with certainty why this distinction was made in this case.
There is a fair amount of gamesmanship that goes into having a device classified as an administrative matter in dealings with a regulatory agency, since the details are technical and the language of the regulations is subject to differing interpretations. This is why attorneys in this area get paid the big bucks.
I can't tell you precisely what went into each determination but the relevant regulations restated below, at least, gives you a sense of what the issues that can be fought over in those discussions can be.
I suspect that the arguments probably involve whether or not evidence was presented to the relevant regulators by the manufacturers that particular items were or were not sold as "mass market encryption commodities", perhaps based upon sales data or information about how the different items are marketed.
It could also be that the regulators a exercising discretion to "flex their regulatory muscles" less aggressively in the case of E.U. source products that could be sold directly outside of U.S. distributions channels anyway, entirely avoiding interfacing with the U..S. export control regime, in order to encourage commerce to be routed through U.S. companies instead. In contrast, the Japanese manufacturer may not have had the same direct distribution network available to it, or may not have had someone as skilled to advocate for it on this basis in the regulatory process.
The legal authority that pertains to this question is set forth below, but even after reading all of it, it isn't manifestly clear why there is a difference so we are left to read between the lines as I have done above.
Category 5A992.c, meanwhile, means "Equipment not controlled by 5A002" because it is one of the "Commodities classified as mass market encryption commodities in accordance with § 740.17(b) of the EAR." This states:
(b) Classification request or self-classification. For certain
products described in paragraph (b)(1) of this section that are
self-classified, a self-classification report in accordance with
paragraph (e)(3) of this section is required from specified exporters,
reexporters and transferors; for products described in paragraph
(b)(1) of this section that are classified by BIS via a CCATS, a
self-classification report is not required. For products described in
paragraphs (b)(2) and (3) of this section, a thirty-day (30-day)
classification request is required in accordance with paragraph (d) of
this section. An exporter, reexporter, or transferor may rely on the
producer's self-classification (for products described in (b)(1),
only) or CCATS for an encryption item eligible for export or reexport
under License Exception ENC under paragraph (b)(1), (2), or (3) of
this section. Exporters are still required to comply with semi-annual
sales reporting requirements under paragraph (e)(1) or (2) of this
section, even if relying on a CCATS issued to a producer for specified
encryption items described in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3)(iii) of
this section.
Note to paragraph (b) introductory text:
Mass market encryption software that would be considered publicly
available under § 734.3(b)(3) of the EAR, and is authorized for export
under this paragraph (b), remains subject to the EAR until all
applicable classification or self-classification requirements set
forth in this section are fulfilled.
(1) Immediate authorization. This paragraph (b)(1) authorizes the
exports, reexports, and transfers (in-country) of the associated
commodities self-classified under ECCNs 5A002.a or 5B002, and
equivalent or related software therefor classified under 5D002, except
any such commodities, software, or components described in (b)(2) or
(3) of this section, subject to submission of a self-classification
report in accordance with § 740.17(e)(3) of the EAR. Items described
in this paragraph (b)(1) that meet the criteria set forth in Note 3 to
Category 5 - Part 2 of the Commerce Control List (the “mass market”
note) are classified as ECCN 5A992.c or 5D992.c following
self-classification or classification by BIS and are removed from “EI”
and “NS” controls.
(2) Classification request required. Thirty (30) days after the
submission of a classification request with BIS in accordance with
paragraph (d) of this section and subject to the reporting
requirements in paragraph (e) of this section, this paragraph under
License Exception ENC authorizes certain exports, reexports, and
transfers (in-country) of the items specified in paragraph (b)(2) and
submitted for classification.
Note to paragraph (b)(2) introductory text:
Immediately after the classification request is submitted to BIS in
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and subject to the
reporting requirements in paragraph (e) of this section, this
paragraph also authorizes exports, reexports, and transfers
(in-country) of:
All submitted encryption items described in this paragraph (b)(2), except “cryptanalytic items,” classified in ECCN 5A004.a, 5D002.a.3.a
or c.3.a, or 5E002, to any end user located or headquartered in a
country listed in supplement no. 3 to this part;
Encryption source code as described in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(B) to non-“government end users” in any country;
“Cryptanalytic items,” classified in ECCN 5A004.a, 5D002.a.3.a or c.3.a, or 5E002, to non-“government end users,” only, located or
headquartered in a country listed in supplement no. 3 to this part;
and
Items described in paragraphs (b)(2)(iii) and (b)(2)(iv)(A) of this section, to specified destinations and end users.
(i) Cryptographic commodities, software, and components. License
Exception ENC authorizes exports, reexports, and transfers
(in-country) of the items in paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A) of this section to
“less sensitive government end users” and non- “government end users”
located or headquartered in a country not listed in supplement no. 3
to this part, and the items in paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(B) through (H) to
non “government end users” located or headquartered in a country not
listed in supplement no. 3.
(A) 'Network Infrastructure.' ' Network infrastructure' commodities
and software, and components therefor, meeting any of the following
with key lengths exceeding 80-bits for symmetric algorithms:
(1) WAN, MAN, VPN, backhaul and long-haul. Aggregate encrypted WAN,
MAN, VPN, backhaul or long-haul throughput (including communications
through wireless network elements such as gateways, mobile switches,
and controllers) equal to or greater than 250 Mbps;
(2) [Reserved]
(3) Satellite infrastructure. Transmission over satellite at data
rates exceeding 10 Mbps;
(4) Media gateways and other unified communications (UC)
infrastructure, including Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP)
services. Media (voice/video/data) encryption or encrypted signaling
to more than 2,500 endpoints, including centralized key management
therefor; or
(5) Terrestrial wireless infrastructure. Air interface coverage
(e.g., through base stations, access points to mesh networks, and
bridges) exceeding 1,000 meters, where any of the following applies:
(i) Maximum transmission data rates exceeding 10 Mbps (at operating
ranges beyond 1,000 meters); or
(ii) Maximum number of concurrent full-duplex voice channels exceeding
30;
Notes to paragraph (b)(2)(i)(A):
- The License Exception ENC eligibility restrictions of paragraphs (b)(2)(i)(A)(3) (satellite infrastructure) and (b)(2)(i)(A)(5)
(terrestrial wireless infrastructure) do not apply to satellite
terminals or modems meeting all of the following:
a. The encryption of data over satellite is exclusively from the user
terminal to the gateway earth station, and limited to the air
interface; and
b. The items meet the requirements of the Cryptography Note (Note 3)
in Category 5 - Part 2 of the Commerce Control List.
- 'Network infrastructure' (as applied to encryption items). A 'network infrastructure' commodity or software is any “end item,”
commodity or “software” for providing one or more of the following
types of communications:”
(a) Wide Area Network (WAN);
(b) Metropolitan Area Network (MAN);
(c) Virtual Private Network (VPN);
(d) Satellite;
(e) Digital packet telephony/media (voice, video, data) over Internet
protocol;
(f) Cellular; or
(g) Trunked.
Note 1 to paragraph 2:
'Network infrastructure' end items are typically operated by, or for,
one or more of the following types of end users:
(1) Medium- or large- sized businesses or enterprises;
(2) Governments;
(3) Telecommunications service providers; or
(4) Internet service providers.
Note 2 to paragraph 2:
Commodities, software, and components for the “cryptographic
activation” of a 'network infrastructure' item are also considered
'network infrastructure' items.
(B) Certain “encryption source code.” “Encryption source code” that
is not publicly available as that term is used in § 742.15(b) of the
EAR;
(C) Customized items. Encryption software, commodities and components
therefor, where any of the following applies:
(1) Customized for government end users or end uses. The item has
been designed, modified, adapted, or customized for “government end
user(s);” or
(2) Custom or changeable cryptography. The cryptographic
functionality of the item has been designed or modified to customer
specification or can be easily changed by the user;
(D) Quantum cryptography. ECCN 5A002.c or 5D002 “quantum
cryptography” commodities or software;
(E) [Reserved]
(F) Network penetration tools. Encryption commodities and software
that provide penetration capabilities that are capable of attacking,
denying, disrupting or otherwise impairing the use of cyber
infrastructure or networks;
(G) Public safety/first responder radio (private mobile radio (PMR)).
Public safety/first responder radio (e.g., implementing Terrestrial
Trunked Radio (TETRA) and/or Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials International (APCO) Project 25 (P25)
standards);
(H) Specified cryptographic ultra-wideband and “spread spectrum”
items. Encryption commodities and components therefor, classified
under ECCNs 5A002.d or .e, and equivalent or related software therefor
classified under ECCN 5D002.
(ii) Cryptanalytic commodities and software. “ Cryptanalytic items”
classified in ECCN 5A004.a, 5D002.a.3.a, or 5D002.c.3.a, to non-
“government end users” located or headquartered in countries not
listed in supplement no. 3 to this part.
(iii) “Open cryptographic interface” items. Items that provide an
“open cryptographic interface,” to any end user located or
headquartered in a country listed in supplement no. 3 to this part.
(iv) Specific encryption technology. Specific encryption technology
as follows:
(A) Technology for “non-standard cryptography.” Encryption technology
classified under ECCN 5E002 for “non-standard cryptography,” to any
end user located or headquartered in a country listed in supplement
no. 3 to this part;
(B) Other technology. Encryption technology classified under ECCN
5E002 except technology for “cryptanalytic items” classified in ECCN
5A004.a, 5D002.a.3.a or 5D002.c.3.a, “non-standard cryptography” or
any “open cryptographic interface,” to any non-“government end user”
located in a country not listed in Country Group D:1, E:1, or E:2 of
supplement no. 1 to part 740 of the EAR.
Note to paragraph (b)(2):
Commodities, components, and software classified under ECCNs 5A002.b
or 5D002.b, for the “cryptographic activation” of commodities or
software specified by this paragraph (b)(2) are also controlled under
this paragraph (b)(2).
(3) Classification request required for specified commodities,
software, and components. Thirty (30) days after a classification
request is submitted to BIS in accordance with paragraph (d) of this
section and subject to the reporting requirements in paragraph (e) of
this section, this paragraph authorizes exports, reexports, and
transfers (in-country) of the items submitted for classification, as
further described in this paragraph (b)(3), to any end user, provided
the item does not perform the functions, or otherwise meet the
specifications, of any item described in paragraph (b)(2) of this
section. Items described in paragraph (b)(3)(ii) or (iv) of this
section that meet the criteria set forth in Note 3 to Category 5 -
Part 2 of the CCL (the “mass market” note) are classified under ECCN
5A992.c or 5D992.c following classification by BIS.
Note to introductory text of paragraph (b)(3):
Immediately after the classification request is submitted to BIS in
accordance with paragraph (d) of this section and subject to the
reporting requirements in paragraph (e) of this section, this
paragraph also authorizes exports, reexports, transfers (in-country)
of the items described in this paragraph (b)(3) to any end user
located or headquartered in a country listed in supplement no. 3 to
this part.
(i) Non-“mass market” “components,” toolsets, and toolkits. Specified
components classified under ECCN 5A002.a and equivalent or related
software classified under ECCN 5D002 that do not meet the criteria set
forth in Note 3 to Category 5 - Part 2 of the CCL (the “mass market”
note) and are not described by paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3)(ii) of this
section, as follows:
(A) Chips, chipsets, electronic assemblies and field programmable
logic devices;
(B) Cryptographic libraries, modules, development kits and toolkits,
including for operating systems and cryptographic service providers
(CSPs).
(ii) “Non-standard cryptography” (by items not otherwise described in
paragraph (b)(2) of this section.) Encryption commodities, software
and components not described by paragraph (b)(2) of this section, that
provide or perform “non-standard cryptography” as defined in part 772
of the EAR.
(iii) Advanced network vulnerability analysis and digital forensics.
Encryption commodities and software not described by paragraph (b)(2)
of this section, that provide or perform vulnerability analysis,
network forensics, or computer forensics functions characterized by
any of the following:
(A) Automated network vulnerability analysis and response. Automated
network analysis, visualization, or packet inspection for profiling
network flow, network user or client behavior, or network
structure/topology and adapting in real-time to the operating
environment; or
(B) Digital forensics and investigative tools. Items specified in
ECCN 5A004.b, 5D002.a.3.b, or 5D002.c.3.b, see supplement no. 1 to
part 774 Commerce Control List.
(iv) “Cryptographic activation” commodities, components, and software.
Commodities, components, and software classified under ECCNs 5A002.b
or 5D002.b where the product or cryptographic functionality is not
otherwise described in paragraphs (b)(2) or (b)(3)(i) of this section.