FCC Proposal Would Restrict Device Testing in Non-Reciprocal Economies

The Federal Communications Commission is considering rules that would restrict recognized device testing, certification and accreditation work to the United States and economies that provide equivalent treatment to U.S. facilities.

The FCC is scheduled to consider the proposal at its Oct. 29, 2026, open meeting. If adopted, it would establish a transition period ending Dec. 1, 2028, after which new applications would face the proposed requirements.

The measure would cover laboratories, certification bodies and accreditation organizations involved in evaluating radio-frequency devices for U.S. authorization. It would also prevent recognized entities in Reciprocal Economies from conducting covered technical work from nonreciprocal economies.

The proposal defines “Reciprocal Economies” as countries or economies covered by a mutual-recognition agreement or a comparable reciprocal trade arrangement that provides equivalent conformity-assessment treatment to U.S. facilities.

The rules would affect testing for products including smartphones, cameras, computers and networking equipment. Many of those devices must receive FCC authorization before they can be marketed or operated in the United States.

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said less than 4% of electronic devices are tested in laboratories located in the U.S., with most testing taking place in economies that do not provide reciprocal treatment.

The proposal follows FCC restrictions adopted in 2025 for laboratories owned, controlled or directed by entities considered national-security threats. In an April 2026 review, the FCC identified laboratories with potential ties to Chinese state-owned enterprises and entities associated with the Chinese military. The agency said those laboratories had tested thousands of devices bound for the U.S. market over several years.

Carr said the proposed approach would address what he described as longstanding failures to apply reciprocity and fair dealing to foreign trade practices.

The proposal has not been adopted. Under the draft, existing authorizations would remain valid, while applications submitted on or after Dec. 1, 2028, would face the new requirements if the proposal is adopted.