Washington bans electronic device testing in Chinese laboratories starting 2028

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday approved new rules barring laboratories in China from testing electronic devices intended for the US market, effective December 2028, expanding previous restrictions on Chinese government labs.

The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Thursday approved new rules barring laboratories in China and other countries that do not grant US labs reciprocal treatment from conducting the tests and certifications required to market electronic devices in the United States, with the restrictions taking effect on December 1, 2028. The decision covers labs testing smartphones, cameras, computers, and other devices destined for the US market, expanding previous Washington restrictions on labs owned or controlled by the Chinese government. Reuters reported that the commission voted to exclude all labs in China from the device testing system for the US market, rather than limiting the ban to labs linked to the Chinese government. The new rules are based on the principle of reciprocity, requiring that testing, certification, and accreditation be conducted within the United States or in countries and economies with which Washington has mutual recognition agreements or similar commercial arrangements. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said that about 82% of electronic devices were tested in China during 2025, despite the absence of a mutual recognition agreement between the two countries in this area. He noted that less than 4% of electronic devices were tested inside US labs during the same period.