FCC Revokes Certification of Chinese Electronics Labs, Citing National Secur...

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AsianFin — The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday revoked the certification licenses of seven Chinese electronics laboratories and refused to renew licenses for four others, marking the latest move in Washington’s ongoing efforts to tighten control over foreign access to critical technology and testing processes.

The decision affects a total of 10 Chinese laboratory institutions, including the China Academy of Information and Communications Technology, Chongqing Institute of Information and Communications, CVC Testing, TUV Rheinland-Zhongjian Ningbo, and Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology (SIMT). Under the new restrictions, these labs are prohibited from testing U.S. electronic products, a move that the FCC said was necessary to mitigate the risks posed by so-called “Bad Labs.”

“President Trump is leading the reshoring of American industrial capacity and protecting critical supply chains from foreign adversaries,” FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in a statement. “The FCC’s action today against ‘Bad Labs’ continues this effort. This is an important step toward restoring trust in the Commission’s equipment authorization process.” Carr also commended the FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), Enforcement Bureau, and National Security Council for their work on the action.

The FCC, established under the U.S. Communications Act of 1934, regulates all non-federal use of the radio spectrum, interstate communications, satellite and cable transmissions, and international communications originating or terminating in the United States. Its jurisdiction covers all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and its decisions have broad influence over U.S. communications policy.

The FCC’s recent moves follow a series of actions targeting Chinese technology firms. In November 2022, the commission banned the approval of new telecommunications equipment from Huawei, ZTE, and companies including Hytera, Hikvision, and Zhejiang Dahua Technology. Earlier this March, the FCC launched investigations into nine Chinese companies, including Huawei, Hikvision, and China Mobile, to determine whether they were attempting to circumvent U.S. restrictions.

Analysts say Monday’s action highlights the growing scrutiny of Chinese technology and electronics firms in the U.S., particularly those involved in testing and certification processes critical to national security. By limiting the role of Chinese labs, the FCC is aiming to ensure that American consumers and businesses rely only on trustworthy testing channels for electronic devices.

China’s Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the U.S.’s related action. Spokesperson Guo Jiakun described it as “an abuse of export control tools” and an example of U.S. unilateral sanctions that violate international law and disrupt global supply chains. Guo accused Washington of politicizing and weaponizing economic, trade, and technology issues and said China “firmly opposes and strongly condemns” these measures.

He added that China urges the U.S. to stop overstretching national security claims and warned that Beijing will take “necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies.”

The move also comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions between the U.S. and China in areas ranging from semiconductors to 5G and other high-tech industries. Experts note that restricting the participation of foreign labs in U.S. product testing could further complicate supply chains and raise costs for electronics manufacturers seeking certification for the U.S. market.

Monday’s decision underscores a broader trend of tech decoupling, with Washington increasingly targeting Chinese technology firms and research institutions. While the FCC’s actions are framed as a national security measure, the move is expected to prompt further friction in U.S.-China technology relations, particularly for companies reliant on cross-border testing and certification services.

The FCC did not indicate when additional rounds of certification revocations might occur, but industry observers expect further scrutiny of labs that conduct critical testing for telecom, consumer electronics, and other high-tech products.