‘Foreign adversary governments should not own and control the labs that test the devices the FCC certifies as safe for the U.S. market,’ says Chairman Brendan Carr
The Federal Communications Commission on Monday launched proceedings to revoke recognition of multiple labs owned or controlled by the Chinese Communist Party that test electronic devices for use in the United States, citing national security concerns.
“The agency has now begun proceedings to withdraw recognition from seven test labs owned or controlled by the Chinese government,” according to a statement that FCC chairman Brendan Carr posted on X. The FCC noted that the recognition of four other Chinese labs has already expired since May, when the agency voted to adopt rules barring “Chinese labs deemed risks to U.S. national security from testing electronic devices such as smartphones, cameras and computers for use in the United States,” Reuters reported.
“Up to now, these labs have been authorized to review electronics headed for the U.S., including national security checks,” Carr wrote in his X post. “We’re now taking action to kick bad labs out of the U.S. system.”
Many of the labs have long drawn government scrutiny over their ties to the CCP, including connections to the country’s state-owned-enterprises or military. While all electronic devices imported into the United States must pass through the FCC’s equipment authorization process, about 75 percent of that testing was conducted in labs in China, Reuters reported based on FCC data.
“Foreign adversary governments should not own and control the labs that test the devices the FCC certifies as safe for the U.S. market,” Carr went on. “This is an important step in restoring trust in the Commission’s equipment authorization process, and combatting foreign adversary threats.”
This isn’t the first time that the United States has moved to restrict CCP-linked entities over national security concerns. In November 2022, the FCC banned approvals of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE, along with surveillance and telecom gear from Hytera Communications, Hikvision, and Dahua Technology. Officials said at the time that the companies were closely tied to the Chinese government and that China could force them to hand over data or facilitate espionage.
Carr said in the FCC’s Monday statement that “President Trump is leading the charge to reshore America’s industrial capacity and safeguard critical supply chains from foreign adversary nations.”
“Today’s FCC action on ‘Bad Labs’ will continue to do just that,” Carr went on.
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