The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to approve a regulation prohibiting Chinese laboratories from conducting testing and certification of electronic devices intended for sale within the United States. The agency justifies the decision on the grounds of national security, aiming to tighten control over supply chains in the technology sector. The regulation will take effect in 2028 and will apply to all laboratories and certification bodies located in countries that do not have mutual recognition agreements for test results with the United States. Currently, China is not among the nations that have signed such an agreement with the FCC.
Scale of Dependency: 82% of Certifications Take Place in China
According to FCC estimates, approximately 82% of electronic devices certified for sale in the US currently undergo testing in accredited laboratories within China. This involves a wide range of products: smartphones, digital cameras, routers, communications equipment, and numerous other consumer electronic goods. The agency emphasizes that these testing centers function as a "critical gateway" to the US telecommunications infrastructure and gain access to confidential technical information about products months before their official market launch. The FCC asserts that this very aspect creates a potential channel for data leaks regarding unpatched vulnerabilities and architectural decisions by American developers.
Trigger: Discovery of Huawei Laboratory
The review of certification rules was initiated in 2024 after it became known that the Chinese tech giant Huawei manages a laboratory accredited by the FCC. This discovery prompted the American regulator to conduct a comprehensive audit of existing mutual recognition mechanisms. Previously, Washington had already placed Huawei and several other Chinese companies on restricted lists, citing national security threats. The FCC also stated that the new measure is designed to protect the American technology industry from the trend of relocating manufacturing and testing facilities abroad, which, according to the agency, weakens sovereign control over critical infrastructure.
Beijing's Reaction: "Expanding the Concept of National Security"
In response to the FCC's decision, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun issued sharp criticism, accusing Washington of "expanding the concept of national security" and using the state apparatus to pressure Chinese business. He stated that the adopted measures hinder normal trade between enterprises of the two countries and run counter to the interests of both American companies and end consumers. "China will take necessary measures to resolutely safeguard its legitimate rights and interests," the Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated. On October 30, China's Ministry of Commerce published a separate statement strongly expressing disagreement with the FCC's decision and warning of its readiness to take necessary countermeasures in the event of continued unilateral actions by the United States.
What This Means for the Market
The practical implementation of the ban, considering the two-year transition period until 2028, will require manufacturers to restructure their certification logistics. Companies whose devices undergo 82% of their testing in Chinese laboratories will be forced to seek alternative accredited centers in countries with mutual recognition agreements with the FCC or organize testing within the United States. Experts note that the decision affects not only end consumers—who might face price corrections due to increased certification costs—but also the entire ecosystem of contract electronics manufacturing, where China remains a key link. The two-year implementation period gives the parties time to negotiate potential exemptions or alternative cooperation formats, but at present, neither side has confirmed readiness for a compromise.
