FCC Votes to End Recognition of Chinese Device-Testing Labs by 2028
Summary
The FCC voted to stop recognizing device-testing labs in China and other countries that do not accept U.S. lab results, giving manufacturers two years to move testing. Chair Brendan Carr cited risks to sensitive product information and communications infrastructure.
Key points
- The FCC’s three serving Republican commissioners unanimously adopted the new rules.
- Device makers have two years to move testing to U.S. labs or labs in countries with reciprocal agreements.
- FCC Chair Brendan Carr said China handles 82.3% of testing for devices seeking FCC approval, compared with 3.6% in the United States.
- Carr warned that a compromised lab could clear unsafe equipment, sabotage networks, or steal trade secrets.
- The FCC began focusing on test labs in 2024 after discovering that Huawei held FCC recognition for one of its labs.
- Carr said the agency’s 2025 rules have removed 32 labs controlled by foreign adversaries from the program.
Article Details
- Event Type
- Regulatory action: the FCC voted to stop recognizing electronics test labs in China and other countries that do not accept results from U.S. labs.
- Impact
- Device makers will have two years to move testing to U.S. labs or labs in countries with reciprocal agreements. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said China currently handles 82.3% of testing for devices seeking FCC approval, compared with 3.6% in the United States. Carr warned that a compromised lab could potentially approve unsafe equipment, sabotage networks, or steal trade secrets; the article does not report that these outcomes occurred.
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ChinaThe U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to stop recognizing electronics test labs in China and other countries that don't accept results from American labs.United StatesThe U.S. Federal Communications Commission voted Thursday to stop recognizing electronics test labs in China and other countries that don't accept results from American labs.