--- title: "US FCC Bans Chinese Laboratories from Certifying Electronics for the US Market Starting 2028" description: "The US FCC has approved a ban on testing and certifying electronics in Chinese laboratories starting in 2028. Beijing called the decision protectionism and promised countermeasures." date: 2026-10-31T14:01:50.498Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/us-fcc-bans-chinese-labs-certifying-electronics tags: [fcc, china, us-trade, electronics, national-security, huawei, supply-chain] author: "Darya Fomina" publisher: "XAB.info" --- # US FCC Bans Chinese Laboratories from Certifying Electronics for the US Market Starting 2028 ![Modern office building of the US FCC headquarters against a blue sky](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/31/fcc-zapret-kitayskim-laboratoriyam-sertifikatirovat-elektroniku/fcc-zapret-kitayskim-laboratoriyam-sertifikatirovat-elektroniku-1.webp) ## Key Points - The FCC voted to ban Chinese laboratories from certifying electronics for the US market; the ban takes effect in 2028 - According to the FCC, about 82% of devices certified in the US are tested in Chinese laboratories - The review process was launched in 2024 after the discovery of a laboratory managed by Huawei - China criticized the decision as protectionism; the Chinese Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Commerce promised countermeasures 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. ## Accounts differ ### Nature and Justification of the FCC Ban on Testing in Chinese Laboratories - **FCC (USA):** The ban is necessary for national security: testing centers are a "critical gateway" to the telecommunications infrastructure and gain access to confidential technical information about products before they reach the market. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/my-cam-cac-phong-thi-nghiem-trung-quoc-kiem-dinh-thiet-bi-dien-tu-cho-thi-truong-my)) - **Chinese Foreign Ministry (Guo Jiakun):** The US is expanding the concept of national security and using state power to pressure Chinese business; the measures hinder normal trade and contradict the interests of American companies and consumers. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/my-cam-cac-phong-thi-nghiem-trung-quoc-kiem-dinh-thiet-bi-dien-tu-cho-thi-truong-my)) - **Chinese Ministry of Commerce:** The FCC decision is a unilateral action; China will take necessary countermeasures if the US continues such policies. ([vietnam.vn](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/my-cam-cac-phong-thi-nghiem-trung-quoc-kiem-dinh-thiet-bi-dien-tu-cho-thi-truong-my)) *Where they agree:* Both sides confirm the fact that the FCC adopted the ban regulation and that it will take effect in 2028. ## Fact-Check & Sources - [США запретили китайским лабораториям проводить испытания электронного оборудования, предназначенного для американского рынка.](https://www.vietnam.vn/ru/my-cam-cac-phong-thi-nghiem-trung-quoc-kiem-dinh-thiet-bi-dien-tu-cho-thi-truong-my) - All key facts (FCC vote, 82%, 2028, Huawei, statements by Guo Jiakun and the Chinese Ministry of Commerce) are taken from this source. No contradictions with other sources were found. ## FAQ ### When will the FCC ban on testing in Chinese laboratories take effect? The ban will take effect in 2028. Until then, a transition period is in place, allowing manufacturers to restructure their certification supply chains. ### What percentage of devices are certified through Chinese laboratories? According to FCC estimates, approximately 82% of devices certified in the US currently undergo testing in accredited laboratories in China. ### What triggered the review of the rules? The process began in 2024 after it was discovered that Huawei manages a laboratory accredited by the FCC, serving as a catalyst for a comprehensive audit of mutual recognition mechanisms. ### How did China react to the FCC's decision? Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun criticized the decision as an "expansion of the concept of national security." On October 30, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce issued a statement warning of countermeasures.