FCC to vote on barring Chinese test labs from certifying US gadgets
The agency plans to require reciprocal economic ties with the US by 2028, a rule that would leave few options for foreign hardware makers.
By Amina Howard ·
The Federal Communications Commission will hold a vote on October 29 to approve a rule that bars Chinese test laboratories from certifying consumer electronics for the US market. The proposed rule takes effect in December 2028. Under the new guidelines, labs must have a reciprocal economic relationship with the United States to remain authorized.
This move follows a series of import restrictions introduced under the current administration. The FCC has already banned new foreign-made drones, routers, robots, and power inverters unless manufacturers obtain specific waivers. In July, the agency decertified two Chinese labs, SLG-CPC Test Laboratory and Shenzhen STS Test Services, for providing false test results. The new vote expands these controls to all Chinese testing facilities.
The timing of the vote coincides with intense scrutiny of major hardware brands. TP-Link, a leading router manufacturer, recently sent a letter to the FCC proposing an investment of nearly $1 billion to build US manufacturing capacity. The company aims to create hundreds of jobs over the next four years. It seeks this exemption to sell its new Wi-Fi 8 routers, which are currently blocked by the foreign router ban.
Competitors Netgear and Asus have already received blanket waivers for all new router models. Both companies manufacture their equipment in Asia but did not promise US production, despite FCC paperwork requiring such plans for exemptions. TP-Link, however, faces stricter review due to alleged ties to China. The company states it would begin assembling Wi-Fi 8 devices in the United States by next year if granted the waiver.
The ban on foreign drones has also impacted other hardware. The HoverAir Versa, a device described as a mini steadycam with snap-on propellers, stopped taking US orders shortly after its Indiegogo debut. The FCC database no longer lists the device, suggesting its authorization was pulled. Meanwhile, the agency is considering rules that would force online marketplaces to verify the FCC status of listed gadgets. Platforms like Etsy have requested exemptions for small sellers.
The FCC cites national security risks as the reason for these restrictions. In recent months, the agency forwarded sealed letters from the Pentagon to 16 members of Congress regarding the threat posed by DJI drones. No public evidence of the threat has been released. The agency also plans to ban all Chinese labs from testing US gadgets by 2029, requiring reciprocal economic relationships for authorization.
