Reciprocity Requirements and Proposed Phase-Out
On April 8, 2026, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the Commission will vote at its April 30 Open Meeting on new rules aimed at restoring reciprocity and integrity to the electronic device testing process. The proposed rules in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) would prohibit the FCC from recognizing test labs and certification bodies located in foreign countries that do not have Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) or comparable reciprocal trade agreements with the United States.
According to the Commission, more than 75% of device testing currently takes place in countries that have not committed to reciprocal treatment of U.S.-based labs and certification bodies. Under the proposed framework, recognition of laboratories and certification bodies in non-reciprocal countries would be phased out over a two-year period.
Fast-Track Review and Immediate Regulatory Reforms
Alongside the proposed rulemaking, the Commission will vote to adopt an Order that creates an expedited approval mechanism for equipment authorizations. Devices tested in trusted facilities—defined as labs located in the United States or in jurisdictions with reciprocal agreements—will qualify for a fast-track priority review process.
The forthcoming Order will also establish additional operational and oversight requirements for equipment authorization participants to ensure program security.
- Mandatory disclosure of the location and number of employees engaged in FCC-recognized testing activities.
- Enhancements to existing FCC post-market surveillance procedures.
- Strengthened enforcement mechanisms against non-compliant entities.
- Confidential reporting channels enabling industry participants to submit reports regarding violations or national security concerns.
Context and Previous Regulatory Actions
The new initiatives build on prior Commission actions regarding foreign equipment testing integrity. The FCC previously adopted rules prohibiting the recognition of test labs and certification bodies owned or controlled by foreign adversaries, which led to the denial or withdrawal of recognition from 23 facilities designated as threats to national security.
The public draft of the Report and Order and NPRM is scheduled for release ahead of the April 30, 2026 meeting.