The U.S. is taking a major step to tighten its technology supply chain by targeting the certification process for nearly all electronic devices.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to advance a proposal that would bar all laboratories based in China from participating in the U.S. Equipment Authorization program. This program is a critical gateway, certifying that devices like smartphones, laptops, and routers meet U.S. safety and interference standards before they can be sold. The new proposal shifts from a 2025 rule targeting specific 'bad labs' to a blanket, country-wide ban, marking a significant escalation in U.S.-China tech decoupling.
This decision didn't come out of nowhere; it's the result of a clear causal chain. First, the foundation was laid in May 2025 when the FCC adopted a rule banning labs owned or controlled by 'prohibited entities' with ties to the Chinese state. Crucially, that rule also sought public comment on extending the ban to all labs operating within a foreign adversary's jurisdiction—the very policy now being advanced.
Second, throughout late 2025 and early 2026, the FCC and other U.S. agencies built momentum for this broader action. The FCC began revoking accreditations for individual Chinese labs, creating a documented record of risks. In a parallel move, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) also withdrew accreditation from several Chinese labs, citing systemic weaknesses. This created a cross-agency precedent that strengthened the case for a jurisdiction-based ban rather than a company-by-company approach.
Finally, these steps culminated in the April 2026 vote. The move was widely anticipated after news reports signaled the FCC's intent, and it drew an immediate protest from Beijing, which framed it as an overreach of national security. This highlights the high geopolitical stakes of what might seem like a purely technical regulation.
The immediate impact could be a major supply-chain shock. FCC officials have noted that roughly 75% of all device testing for the U.S. market happens in China. While Chinese labs make up only about 27% of all FCC-recognized labs globally, they handle a disproportionately high volume of work—roughly eight times the throughput of an average non-Chinese lab. Removing this capacity from the system could create serious bottlenecks, delaying the launch of new electronics in the U.S.
- FCC (Federal Communications Commission): A U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
- Tech Decoupling: The process of disentangling the technology sectors and supply chains of two or more countries, particularly the U.S. and China, to reduce mutual dependence for economic or national security reasons.
- Equipment Authorization Program: The FCC's process for certifying that electronic devices that emit radiofrequency energy comply with its technical standards before they can be marketed or sold in the U.S.