FCC to Vote on Preventing Chinese Labs Considered Security Risks from Testing U.S. Electronics – One America News Network
By David Shepardson
April 30, 2025 – 8:27 AM PDT
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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on May 22 to finalize a regulation that will prevent Chinese laboratories identified as a threat to U.S. national security from testing electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras, and computers intended for use within the United States.
All electronics intended for use in the U.S. must undergo the FCC’s equipment authorization process before importation.
“We’re closing another potential loophole in our national security framework by ensuring that only reliable labs are allowed to participate in our procedures,” stated FCC Chair Brendan Carr in an interview.
In November 2022, the FCC prohibited the approval of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE, as well as telecom and video surveillance equipment from Hytera Communications Corp (002583.SZ), Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology (002415.SZ), and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co (002236.SZ). FCC staff estimate that around 75% of all electronics are evaluated at labs located in China.
“If an untrustworthy lab is responsible for verifying that Huawei or ZTE equipment is not entering the U.S., that presents a significant risk,” Carr said.
The forthcoming order will prohibit testing by labs in China that are under the control of companies listed on the FCC’s “Covered List,” which identifies specific communications equipment and services as threats to U.S. national security. The FCC would withdraw its recognition of any lab if it determines ties to a banned company.
The agency is also soliciting feedback on a separate proposal aimed at extending the testing ban to all labs in China and other foreign adversaries, and is seeking input on how to promote testing and the establishment of new labs within the United States.
Additionally, the FCC plans to vote on a proposal that would require entities with significant connections to China or other adversaries to disclose all licenses and authorizations granted by the FCC. This would entail the collection of details on hundreds of thousands of licenses, including all broadcast and equipment authorizations, submarine cable licenses, and more.
Carr remarked that the FCC’s proposal draws on existing congressional legislation. “If there’s a sufficiently concerning link to a foreign adversary, that information should be readily available to the FCC,” Carr mentioned.
In March, the FCC announced it is investigating nine Chinese companies, including Huawei, Hikvision, China Mobile (600941.SS), and China Telecom (601728.SS), to ascertain if they are attempting to circumvent U.S. restrictions.
Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Bill Berkrot
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