FCC to vote to bar Chinese labs deemed security risks from testing US electronics

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Communications Commission will vote May 22 to finalize a new rule that will bar Chinese labs deemed risks to U.S. national security from testing electronic devices like smartphones, cameras and computers for use in the United States.

All electronics used in the United States must go through the FCC’s equipment authorization process.

“We’re addressing another potential loophole in our national security process by ensuring that only trustworthy labs can participate in our process,” FCC Chair Brendan Carr said in an interview.

The FCC in November 2022 banned approvals of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE as well as telecom and video surveillance equipment from Hytera Communications Corp Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology and Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co. FCC staff estimate that roughly 75% of all electronics are tested at labs located inside China.

(Reporting by David Shepardson)