FCC Bans Chinese Labs from Testing Electronics Amid National Security Concerns

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has finalized new rules prohibiting Chinese laboratories considered national security risks from testing electronic devices—including smartphones, cameras, and computers—for the U.S. market. The decision, passed unanimously in a 4-0 vote, targets labs suspected of ties to the Chinese Communist Party, state-owned enterprises, or the Chinese military.

The FCC emphasized that all electronics imported into the U.S. must pass its equipment authorization process, with approximately 75% currently tested in China-based labs. FCC Chair Brendan Carr warned that compromised labs could allow insecure technologies into the U.S. telecom infrastructure, posing significant risks.

The new rules prevent any lab under the control of firms listed on the FCC’s “Covered List”—which includes Huawei, ZTE, Hikvision, Dahua, and Hytera—from certifying devices for U.S. use. The FCC will revoke recognition of any lab found to be linked to such entities. This follows a 2022 FCC ban on approvals for equipment from these firms.

In a further step, the FCC is soliciting public feedback on whether to broaden the testing ban to all labs in China and other nations classified as foreign adversaries. It also advanced a proposal that would require organizations with substantial ties to such countries to disclose all FCC-issued licenses and authorizations.

China’s Embassy in Washington condemned the move, accusing the U.S. of politicizing trade and technology under the guise of national security.

The FCC also disclosed ongoing investigations into nine Chinese firms, including Huawei, China Mobile, and China Telecom, to assess whether they are circumventing existing U.S. restrictions.

This regulatory shift reflects heightened scrutiny of Chinese tech companies and a broader push to safeguard U.S. telecommunications networks from potential foreign threats.