• The Federal Communications Commission has approved a rule that will exclude mainland Chinese laboratories from testing electronics for U.S. equipment authorization beginning December 1, 2028.
  • The decision, which had been expected, marks a significant expansion of U.S. restrictions on Chinese involvement in the technology supply chain, moving beyond ownership-based limits to a location-based ban.
  • Industry groups warn of potential certification backlogs and higher costs, while the FCC argues the move is necessary to protect national security and ensure reciprocal market access.

A Sweeping Change for Electronics Testing

The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to bar laboratories located in mainland China from testing electronics for U.S. equipment authorization, effective December 1, 2028. The rule, which had been circulated earlier this month, represents one of the most consequential changes to the U.S. electronics approval process in years and is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on Chinese testing facilities.

Under the new regime, the FCC will no longer recognize testing laboratories in economies that lack a mutual recognition agreement or comparable reciprocal arrangement with the United States. Mainland China would be excluded, while the circulated draft includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam among eligible economies. Importantly, the restriction applies based on laboratory location, not simply Chinese ownership. A Western-owned laboratory operating in mainland China would also be affected, and the package further restricts where certification and accreditation work can occur.

The agency said the rule is needed to address national security risks and to ensure that U.S. laboratories receive comparable access abroad. “This is about protecting the integrity of our equipment authorization process,” FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said in a statement. “We cannot continue to rely on laboratories in countries that do not offer reciprocal treatment to American firms.”

Industry Warns of Disruption

The decision has drawn sharp criticism from industry groups, who fear the transition could be chaotic. According to FCC figures cited by Reuters (TRI), China handled testing for 82% of the relevant electronics in 2025, compared with less than 4% tested in U.S. laboratories. Relocating such a highly concentrated service without disrupting product approvals is a daunting task.

In an October 22 filing, the Consumer Technology Association acknowledged the commission’s security goals but requested a targeted, temporary waiver mechanism if approved laboratories lack sufficient capacity or technical capabilities. It warned that bottlenecks could delay launches, disrupt supply chains, and impair Americans’ access to technology. The circulated draft declines laboratory-specific waivers, creating a point of tension with that request.

Manufacturers of radiofrequency devices, including smartphones, computers, cameras, and routers, are most directly exposed. Moving testing away from nearby Chinese production facilities could increase logistics expenses, complicate engineering changes, and delay product launches if alternative laboratories lack capacity. Analysts and U.S. industry associations have warned about higher costs and certification backlogs.

“The transition period is generous, but the capacity simply doesn’t exist yet,” said one industry representative, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We need a safety valve.”

A Broader Tech Decoupling

The testing rule is the latest in a series of FCC actions targeting Chinese technology. Earlier restrictions have already barred certain Chinese laboratories deemed national-security risks from testing electronics for U.S. authorization. The agency has also moved against Chinese-made drones and consumer routers, and on October 22 it blocked a dashboard camera and a wireless video transmitter containing surveillance chips from Huawei subsidiary HiSilicon.

Together, these measures address different points in the supply chain: the finished product, its components, and the organizations that establish its regulatory compliance. The testing rule, however, is distinct in that it targets the service layer—the laboratories that certify equipment—rather than the equipment itself.

The FCC’s proposal also seeks comments on expanding domestic testing capacity, indicating that additional supply remains an implementation issue rather than an assured outcome. Eligible overseas laboratories in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Vietnam could see a surge in demand, but it is unclear whether they can absorb the workload.

What’s Next

With the vote complete, the focus shifts to implementation. The FCC is expected to release the final adopted text in the coming days, which will detail any changes made to the draft. Legal analysts cautioned that the circulated text could change before adoption, particularly regarding the scope and transition rules.

Through December 2028, capacity is the key operational risk. The transition gives manufacturers time to qualify alternatives, but industry representatives want a contingency mechanism if laboratory expansion falls behind. The longer-term direction is a more geographically diversified testing industry, with additional demand in the United States and eligible partner economies. Whether that produces a smoother, more resilient approval system—or higher costs and recurring bottlenecks—will depend on how quickly qualified capacity expands.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the rule would apply to all Chinese-owned laboratories worldwide. In fact, it applies only to laboratories located in mainland China, regardless of ownership.