The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has approved a new rule that will ban all Chinese labs and certification bodies from testing electronic devices intended for the US market as of December 2028. This move is aimed at safeguarding national security and telecommunications network security, and the US authorities require foreign testing institutions to offer the same market access as they do. Potential confidential data leaks are a major concern. According to the new rule, any laboratory or certification body located in an economic entity not signed an "mutual recognition agreement" or mutual trade agreements with the US will no longer be allowed to test electronic products for the US market. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the new rule aligns with President Donald Trump's vision of recalibrating the US’s foreign trade relationships. Carr cited data showing that in 2025, 82% of the electronic devices used in the US were tested in Chinese labs, while only about 4% were tested in US labs, and the rest relied on overseas testing agencies. He described these labs as "key entry points" into the US communications infrastructure, which could provide access to sensitive and confidential data months before the products are launched, and some labs could potentially allow "unsafe devices" to enter the US market, disrupt communication networks, or steal intellectual property. A two-year grace period is specified, allowing US-based labs time to expand their testing equipment and workforce to meet market demands. At the same time, the FCC stated it would expedite the approval processes for labs in the US and other countries that do not pose a national security risk. It revealed that the FCC had already banned in 2025 tests of electronic devices for use in the US by labs owned or controlled by the Chinese government and had withdrawn the recognition of 32 labs. The restrictions are expanding to cover drones, routers, and robots among other areas.