What is the Export Control Classification Number and what is its role in trade?

Everyone who deals with international exports has to know that ECCNs are five alphanumeric designations published on the Commerce Control List (CCL) to identify dual-use items for export control purposes ( it is used to classify the US exports) . Those items represent products that have a commercial use. An ECCN categorizes items based on the nature of the product, i.e. type of commodity, software, or technology and its respective technical parameters. All ECCNs could be found in the Commerce Control List (CCL) which is divided into ten broad categories (see here: https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/regulations/export-administration-regulations-ear last updated on 10/29/2018), and each category is further subdivided into five product groups. The first character of the ECCN identifies the broader category to which it belongs and the second character identifies the product group. For better understanding, you can get acquainted with the following ECCN Guide: https://osp.mit.edu/sites/osp/files/uploads/guide-export-control-classification-numbers-eccns-2017-10-05.pdf