The Federal Communications Commission has voted to move forward with a proposal that would block testing labs in mainland China and Hong Kong from certifying electronics for sale in the United States.
The proposal was approved unanimously and is framed around national security concerns. If finalized, it would remove FCC recognition from Chinese and Hong Kong labs that currently help manufacturers clear wireless and radio-frequency devices for the US market.
The practical effect could be large. The FCC estimates that about 75% of US-bound electronics are tested in Chinese facilities before they are sold domestically. That figure matters because nearly every connected device, from laptops and phones to routers, smart home gear, and wireless accessories, must pass FCC equipment authorization before it can legally enter the US retail channel.
Why the FCC certification change matters
FCC equipment authorization is not a cosmetic step. Devices that emit radio frequencies have to show they meet US technical rules before manufacturers can import, market, or sell them. Testing is handled through FCC-recognized labs, and many companies have used labs close to their production sites because it can shorten handoffs between factories, engineers, and compliance teams.
That convenience is now part of the concern for regulators. FCC Chair Brendan Carr has argued that the agency should limit the role of entities it views as security risks in systems connected to US communications infrastructure.
For buyers, the rule would not necessarily change which products are legal to own. The bigger risk is upstream: longer certification timelines, higher compliance costs, and more complicated launch schedules for hardware brands that currently rely on Chinese testing capacity.
Amazon eero 6+ Wi-Fi 6 Router
A mainstream Wi-Fi 6 router is a practical example of the connected hardware category affected by FCC equipment authorization. Readers replacing home networking gear may prefer established brands with clear US retail availability.
The original reporting cited compliance data showing 126 of the FCC’s 591 globally recognized test labs are located in mainland China or Hong Kong. It also cited Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta as major testing hubs, though those regional figures should be treated as reported estimates rather than independently confirmed numbers.
Costs could rise for manufacturers
Moving certification work out of China would not be as simple as changing a shipping label. Some affected labs are reportedly Chinese subsidiaries of major Western testing companies, including Intertek, SGS, TUV Rheinland, and Bureau Veritas. Those firms also operate facilities in places such as the US, Europe, and Taiwan, but redirecting work could still create bottlenecks.
The cost difference may also be meaningful for smaller hardware sellers. The source article put basic FCC certification testing at roughly $400 to $1,300 in China, compared with about $3,000 to $4,000 at US labs. Those figures should be read as indicative rather than universal, since testing costs vary by device type, wireless features, and certification path.
For established brands, higher testing costs may be absorbed as part of compliance overhead. For smaller accessory makers, private-label sellers, and fast-moving gadget brands, the change could affect pricing, release timing, or the number of products they choose to bring to the US market.
More China telecom restrictions are also on the table
In a separate 3-0 vote, the FCC also advanced a proposal targeting China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom. The agency had already revoked their US retail telecom licenses, but the new proposal would address remaining wholesale and infrastructure activity, including data center operations.
The commission is also considering whether US carriers should be barred from interconnecting with companies on the FCC’s national security Covered List, or with carriers using equipment from Huawei or ZTE.
The vote does not make the lab ban final immediately. It opens a public comment process that is expected to run for roughly 60 to 90 days, followed by a final rule and transition period if the FCC proceeds.
For now, the takeaway is straightforward: certification is becoming another pressure point in the US-China technology split. Even if products still reach shelves, the path from factory floor to US retail approval may become more expensive and less predictable.
Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim with Energy Monitoring
Smart plugs are a simple connected-device category for readers thinking about how certification rules affect everyday gadgets. This model is useful for automating lamps or small appliances while monitoring energy use.