FCC to ban smartphone testing in Chinese labs, manufacturers might face regulatory hurdles | Infinium-tech

The FCC decided to ban testing of all electronic devices made for the US market in Chinese laboratories. For example, devices destined for the US market have to pass certain FCC certifications that ensure things like radio emissions and network compatibility are in check. Most of this is done in Chinese laboratories at the R&D centers of the respective manufacturers, and according to the FCC, about 75% of all US devices rely on test results from Chinese laboratories.

However, since the US has considered China a security threat for some time, the move may not be a surprise to some. Since the FCC has already made a decision on the ban, a 30-60 day period of public comments by the industry and consumers will follow. The FCC is also allowed to make changes to the restrictions.

Additionally, the FCC put forward another separate proposal – to ban testing of US equipment in all countries that do not have a mutual recognition agreement that allows countries to recognize the results of each other’s testing laboratories. Of course, China and the US do not have MRAs.

If the proposal is accepted, it likely will not affect devices that have already been certified. The devices will be allowed on the US market for two years before being recertified. This means that older iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy devices are unlikely to need recertification as they will simply be removed from the shelves.

Future smartphones will have to be shipped from China to another country where the FCC will approve certification testing before reaching US shores. This will prove costly and time consuming, but it appears to be necessary going forward.

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