US FCC Approves Ban on Chinese Electronics Testing Laboratories Over National Security Concerns

The United States Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved new regulations restricting Chinese testing laboratories from certifying electronic devices intended for the American market. The decision, adopted through a majority vote on October 29, 2026, is scheduled to take effect in December 2028.

The new restrictions will cover electronic products including smartphones, computers, cameras and other communications equipment requiring regulatory approval before entering the US market.

The regulation targets testing and certification laboratories operating in countries that do not provide reciprocal recognition to American testing facilities. China falls within this category because it lacks a mutual recognition agreement with the United States.

The decision expands earlier restrictions introduced in 2025, when the FCC prohibited laboratories owned or controlled by the Chinese government from testing devices destined for American consumers.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr emphasized national security concerns associated with foreign testing facilities, arguing that laboratories often gain early access to sensitive technical information before electronic products reach commercial markets.

According to Carr, approximately 82% of electronic devices underwent testing in China during 2025, while only around 4% were tested within the United States.

American regulators have expressed concerns that dependence on foreign laboratories could expose communications infrastructure to cybersecurity vulnerabilities, intellectual property theft and potentially unsafe electronic equipment.

Alongside the restrictions, the FCC announced plans to simplify certification procedures for devices tested in American laboratories or facilities located in countries considered to present lower national security risks.

However, the transition could create challenges for global electronics manufacturers, particularly because China remains a major centre for electronics production and testing services.

Expanding alternative laboratory capacity will be essential to preventing certification delays and supply-chain disruptions.

The decision highlights Washington's continuing efforts to strengthen technological security, diversify electronics supply chains and reduce dependence on Chinese testing infrastructure.