The Federal Communications Commission is gearing up for a major fight over who gets to test the gadgets Americans buy. On April 30, the agency will vote on a sweeping proposal that would bar Chinese testing laboratories from certifying electronic devices for sale or use in the United States. Framed as a national security move to close what regulators call a weak point in the equipment authorization process, the measure would force manufacturers and test houses to reshape how, and where, their devices get cleared for the U.S. market.
The April 30 vote is listed on the FCC's upcoming open meeting agenda, according to Reuters. The outlet reports that the proposal would bar all labs in China from testing electronics destined for U.S. consumers, and that the commission will separately weigh a streamlined approval path for devices tested in U.S. facilities or labs located in allied countries.
What the proposal would change
The plan builds on a May 2025 rule that gave the FCC authority to withdraw recognition from test labs and certification bodies that are owned or controlled by foreign adversaries. As detailed by the FCC, those earlier rules were meant to keep untrustworthy actors away from the equipment authorization process. In a separate statement, Chairman Brendan Carr said the agency estimates that roughly 75 percent of all electronics are now tested in labs inside China, and that regulators are seeking comment on how to reshore more of that testing capacity.
Who would be hit
Supporters of the proposed ban say it would close a national security gap created by China's dominant role in the testing market. Manufacturers, on the other hand, warn that cutting off Chinese labs could mean higher costs and longer approval timelines for everything from routers to smart home devices. Reuters reported that 23 labs have already been barred in earlier enforcement actions, and that the Chinese embassy in Washington did not comment on the new proposal. Some companies, including major Chinese equipment makers, have pushed back against measures they argue could retroactively strip past device authorizations.
Other FCC moves in recent months
The looming vote follows a string of related FCC actions. Last month, the commission added foreign made consumer routers to its "Covered List," effectively freezing authorization of new models, as explained by Tom's Hardware. In December, the agency moved to bar imports of new models of foreign made drones, a step widely reported by AP.
Industry reaction and legal questions
Manufacturers and testing firms say the proposed rule could drive up costs, slow product launches, and inject fresh uncertainty into an already complex approval process. Some companies have already taken prior FCC actions to court. Legal advisers and industry groups expect future fights to center on administrative law claims, especially arguments over retroactivity and due process, a focus highlighted in reporting by Security Info Watch.
What comes next
The commission is scheduled to debate and vote on the proposal at its April 30 open meeting. If it passes, the next steps would include publication in the Federal Register, followed by formal comment periods and implementation timelines. Stakeholders from manufacturers to retailers are expected to scrutinize the FCC agenda and post vote notices for compliance deadlines, possible exemptions, and the likely timetable for any appeals, according to coverage and legal trackers monitoring the run up to the meeting.
