FCC to Restrict Electronics Testing Labs by 2028
The commission is moving to centralize device certification in the U.S. and allied nations to bolster data security.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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Should the U.S. restrict electronic device testing to only domestic or allied laboratories?
The Federal Communications Commission will vote this Thursday on proposed rules to restrict electronic device testing to laboratories in the United States and qualified nations. The move aims to curb reliance on overseas testing after authorities uncovered cases of data recycling in Chinese facilities.
Why it matters
Regulators currently lack the oversight necessary to enforce compliance on test data originating in China, where authorities can access information about U.S.-bound electronics. The mandate seeks to standardize the integrity of radio frequency and safety certifications for consumer devices.
The FCC has identified 33 device approvals linked to recycled data from a single lab in Dongguan, China. Since a 2025 policy shift, the agency has revoked or rejected 23 individual testing labs for failing to meet compliance standards.
The players
Federal Communications Commission
The independent U.S. agency responsible for regulating interstate and international communications, including the certification of consumer electronic hardware.
The details
Every router, phone, and smart camera sold in the United States must undergo lab certification to ensure the hardware complies with FCC technical rules. The commission is moving to restrict this process to facilities within the U.S. or nations with formal reciprocal laboratory agreements. These agreements ensure that data collected by foreign labs remains secure from local government interference and adheres to standardized testing protocols.
Timeline
2025: The FCC launched a crackdown on Chinese-operated testing labs.
June 2026: The agency initiated the revocation of a testing lab in Dongguan, China.
Thursday, October 29, 2026: Commissioners will hold a final vote on the new testing regulations.
December 1, 2028: Labs in unqualified locations will lose recognition and existing device approvals will lapse.
The Tech Race
This proposal shifts the regulatory landscape from reactive lab enforcement to a proactive geographic ban on testing sites. It follows the 2025 FCC laboratory certification policy that first allowed for the mass revocation of labs failing to meet data integrity standards.
Device manufacturers must transition their testing pipelines to approved labs before the December 1, 2028 deadline. Products that remain certified by labs located in unqualified territories will lose their FCC approval, potentially disrupting market access for new consumer devices.
The takeaway
The FCC is forcing a massive migration of hardware testing out of China to ensure data reliability and security for U.S. products. Hardware stakeholders should track the official list of the 60 qualifying countries to determine where their testing logistics must move before the end of 2028.
Further reading
For more on the hardware standards governing the domestic market, visit Consumer Electronics.
Live Poll
Should the U.S. restrict electronic device testing to only domestic or allied laboratories?
