FCC Cracks Down on 'Untrustworthy Gear,' Bans Previously Authorized Devices Tied to Foreign Adversaries

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 28, 2025 – The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today voted to approve sweeping new rules aimed at bolstering the security of U.S. communications networks and closing key loopholes in the agency's Covered List. The action, according to the FCC, will help secure America's supply chain against devices that pose an unacceptable national security risk, particularly those tied to foreign adversaries like China.

The agency's primary goal is to prevent foreign adversaries from using these devices to surveil Americans, disrupt networks, and otherwise threaten U.S. national security.

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Key New Safeguards Approved

The new rules clarify and strengthen existing prohibitions on covered equipment, specifically targeting two major areas where previous regulations fell short:

1. Banning Previously Authorized Devices

While the FCC's rules already prohibit the importation, sale, and marketing of new insecure devices from entities like Huawei and Hikvision , those rules did not apply to equipment that was previously authorized.

The new rules establish a process for the FCC to prohibit the continued importation, marketing, and sale of devices that were authorized before the agency placed them on the Covered List due to national security concerns. The FCC stated it will apply this new rule in a targeted manner.

2. Closing the Modular Transmitter Loophole

The Commission also voted to close the "modular transmitter loophole”. This prevents certain insecure modular transmitters—like those from Covered List entities such as Huawei and Hikvision—from being included as component parts within devices that are otherwise lawful or authorized.

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Future Actions Under Consideration

In addition to the immediate rule changes, the Commission adopted a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM). This notice seeks public comment on various measures to further secure the supply chain and strengthen enforcement, including:

• Extending Prohibitions: Extending equipment authorization prohibitions to a larger class of foreign adversary-controlled devices and component parts produced by Covered List entities.
• Strengthening Enforcement: Various measures to strengthen enforcement against the unlawful marketing of covered equipment 

REF:

News Release from the FCC
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-415131A1.pdf

 

U.S. FCC Begins Proceedings to Strip Recognition from Chinese-Controlled Labs

WASHINGTON D.C. September. 8, 2025 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated its first enforcement action under newly effective rules targeting "bad labs" owned or controlled by foreign adversary nations. The agency has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition from seven electronics testing labs and has denied renewal requests for others with expired recognition. All the labs are identified as being controlled by the Chinese government.

This action is a direct result of new rules adopted by the FCC in May, which prohibit recognition for labs that test devices for the U.S. market but are subject to the control of a foreign adversary government.

The labs affected by this action are:

Labs Subject to Withdrawal Proceedings:

• China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)
• Chongqing Academy of Information and Communications
• TUV Rheinland-CCIC Ningbo Co. Ltd.
• UL-CCIC
• CQC Internet of Vehicles Technical Service Co. Ltd.
• CVC Testing
• CVC Testing Shenzhen

Labs with Expired or Denied Recognition:

• Shanghai Institute of Measurement and Testing Technology (SIMT)
• CCIC Southern Testing Co., Ltd.
• CESI (Guangzhou) Standards

A press release from the Commission emphasized the importance of the move, stating, "Foreign adversary governments should not own and control the labs that test the devices the FCC certifies as safe for the U.S. market. This is an important step in restoring trust in the Commission’s equipment authorization process and combating foreign adversary threats."

REF:

News Release from the FCC
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-414369A1.pdf

 

FCC Appoints New Chief to Lead Office of Engineering and Technology

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has announced the appointment of Andy Hendrickson as the new Chief of the FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET). The announcement was made on August 7, 2025.

The FCC's Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) serves as the primary technical and engineering advisor to the Commission. Its main functions include

·       Spectrum Management: The OET is responsible for managing the radio frequency spectrum, including the allocation of frequencies and ensuring their efficient use.

·       Technical Standards: It develops and administers technical standards and regulations for a wide range of devices and equipment that use the spectrum, from cell phones to Wi-Fi.

·       Innovation: The office promotes the development of new technologies and services by managing experimental licensing programs and conducting engineering studies.

·       Compliance: It also oversees the equipment authorization program to ensure that devices sold in the U.S. comply with the FCC's technical rules, which are designed to minimize harmful interference.

 REF:

https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-413568A1.pdf

 

FCC Proposes Sweeping Rules to Secure Telecom Equipment Supply Chain; Public Comment Period Now Open

Washington D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unveiled a new proposed rule aimed at significantly bolstering the security and integrity of the nation's telecommunications equipment supply chain. The initiative, titled "Promoting the Integrity and Security of Telecommunications Certification Bodies, Measurement Facilities, and the Equipment Authorization Program," seeks public input on a range of measures designed to safeguard the FCC's critical equipment authorization program.

At the heart of the proposed rule are expanded prohibitions targeting entities subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign adversary or those raising national security concerns. The FCC is particularly interested in incorporating existing federal agency blacklists, such as those from the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PFACA) and the Office of Foreign Assets Control's (OFAC) Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), into its definition of "prohibited entity."

Beyond restricting problematic actors, the FCC is exploring avenues to boost domestic equipment authorization testing and certification. This includes examining potential incentives and strategies to reduce regulatory hurdles for U.S.-based Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs) and test laboratories. The move signals a clear intent to strengthen the domestic capacity for securing telecommunications infrastructure.

Furthermore, the proposed rule considers crucial revisions to post-market surveillance procedures for TCBs, aiming to enhance the identification of non-compliant equipment in the market. The FCC is also seeking comments on a potential requirement for all equipment authorized under the Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) procedure to undergo testing at an accredited and FCC-recognized laboratory.

The comprehensive set of proposals underscores the FCC's commitment to fortifying the security of the U.S. equipment supply chain against potential threats and ensuring the integrity of telecommunications services nationwide.

Public comments on this important proposal are due by August 15, 2025. A period for reply comments will follow, with a deadline of September 15, 2025.

Interested parties can submit their comments electronically through the Commission's Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) at https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/. Alternatively, comments can also be submitted via Regulations.gov by navigating to the document with Document Number 2025-13308.

For more information, the full publication can be accessed on the Federal Register: Promoting the Integrity and Security of Telecommunications Certification Bodies, Measurement Facilities, and the Equipment Authorization Program.

 REF:

FR Document: 2025-13308 Citation: 90 FR 31945

PDF Pages 31945-31951 (7 pages) Permalink