FCC sets 2028 rules limiting Chinese labs testing US devices

The FCC voted to restrict which laboratories can test and certify electronic devices intended for sale in the United States, allowing recognition only for labs in the U.S. or countries that offer reciprocal recognition to U.S. labs. The rules, set to take effect in December 2028, cover Chinese facilities and other labs in countries without reciprocal treatment. The commission says the change addresses national-security and intellectual-property risks, while also aiming to ensure fair treatment for U.S. testing businesses. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said about 82% of relevant devices were tested in China in 2025, compared with roughly 4% in U.S. labs, reflecting the industry’s reliance on overseas facilities where many gadgets are manufactured. The delayed implementation gives manufacturers and testing companies time to shift operations, as the FCC streamlines approvals for devices tested in the U.S. or other countries it considers lower risk.