The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to ban the testing of electronic devices intended for the United States market in Chinese laboratories, citing growing security concerns.
All electronic devices sold in the US must undergo FCC certification to ensure compliance with standards such as radio frequency emissions and network compatibility. Currently, a significant portion of this testing estimated at around 75 percent is conducted in Chinese labs, many of which operate within manufacturers’ research and development facilities.
The proposed move could significantly alter the global certification process for consumer electronics.
The FCC’s decision comes amid ongoing tensions between the United States and China over technology and data security. Officials have raised concerns that reliance on foreign testing facilities, particularly in China, could pose risks to the integrity of device certification.
As part of the rulemaking process, the proposal will now enter a 30 to 60-day public comment period, allowing industry stakeholders and consumers to provide feedback. The FCC may revise the plan based on the responses received.
In addition to targeting Chinese labs, the FCC has also proposed extending the ban to include any country that does not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) with the United States. These agreements allow countries to accept each other’s testing and certification results.
China currently does not have such an agreement with the US.
If implemented, the new rule will not immediately affect devices that have already been certified. Existing products will be allowed to remain on the market for up to two years before requiring re-certification.
However, older models from major tech companies such as Apple, Google, and Samsung could be phased out instead of undergoing the new certification process.
The proposed changes are expected to increase costs and extend production timelines, as manufacturers may need to ship devices from China to FCC-approved labs in other countries for testing before entering the US market.
Despite these challenges, industry analysts believe the move is likely to become a standard part of the certification process, reshaping global supply chains for consumer electronics.
