WASHINGTON, 9 September 2025 — The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken decisive steps to revoke accreditation from several Chinese laboratories responsible for testing electronics—such as smartphones, cameras, and computers—for certification before import into the American market. The decision targets seven labs owned or controlled by the Chinese government, citing serious national security concerns. Additionally, accreditation for four more Chinese labs has recently lapsed and will not be renewed.
This enforcement follows the FCC’s May resolution to enact new rules prohibiting labs considered security risks from participating in the U.S. equipment authorization process. FCC Chair Brendan Carr underscored the rationale behind 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.”
The affected labs include prominent institutions such as the Chongqing Academy of Information and Communications, CQC Internet of Vehicles Technical Service, TUV Rheinland-CCIC Ningbo, UL-CCIC, and institutes based in Shanghai and Guangzhou, among others. With about 75% of all electronics used in the United States currently tested in China, this move signals a significant shift in testing protocols.
The Chinese Embassy has condemned the actions, accusing the U.S. of politicizing trade and tech regulations and overextending the definition of national security.
ASEAN Concerns
For ASEAN economies and the broader Asian tech ecosystem, the FCC’s decision signals increasing fragmentation of global tech standards and supply chains. Manufacturers that rely on testing facilities in China may now face regulatory bottlenecks and disruptions to exports destined for the U.S. market. This shift underscores the urgency for alternative testing hubs—potentially within Southeast Asia—to ensure uninterrupted access to global certification regimes.
