FCC and ISED Regulatory Updates
Please note that many changes at the FCC have occurred in 2025. There is an increased scrutiny of laboratories offering equipment authorization EA (Certification, testing and approvals).
To a large degree, the EA system is in a state of change. The US Government shutdown has affected the global electronics market because the FCC is not processing Grants for equipment.
The Commission continues to review all labs to determine if a threat to national security exists. This particular action is an on-going effort reaching back many years. The context for the increased scrutiny is for protection of US-based networks and the desire to return activity to US test labs and certification bodies.
In This Issue:
- FCC Safeguards Against “Untrustworthy Gear”
- National Security Advisory Regarding Covered List Security Risks
- FCC Laboratory Recognition Review
- ISED Guidance on SAR Test Reduction
- EU ETSI Standards – New and Updated Publications
FCC Safeguards Against “Untrustworthy Gear”
“UNTRUSTWORTHY” Gear – 会议的重要设备授权事项
FCC to Vote on New Safeguards Against Untrustworthy Gear
Rules Would Further Protect U.S. Communications Networks from Foreign Adversaries
Document: DOC-415068A1.pdf
Protecting Against National Security Threats through the Equipment Authorization Program
The Commission will consider a Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to take the next important steps in modifying the equipment authorization program. The goal is to protect U.S. networks and the communications supply chain from national security threats.
(ET Docket No. 21-232)
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr released a statement titled “FCC to Vote on New Safeguards Against Untrustworthy Gear” (see DOC-415068A1.pdf).
The FCC has released a 61-page document consisting of a Fact Sheet and the ET Docket No. 21-232 Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (see DOC-415051A1.pdf).
FCC Fact Sheet
Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization Program
Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
ET Docket No. 21-232
Background:
Over the past several years, the Commission, Congress, and the Executive Branch have all taken steps to protect the supply chain for communications equipment and services within the United States.
This Second Report and Order and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking advances the Commission’s goal of protecting communications networks and supply chains from equipment and services that pose an unacceptable risk to national security. It does so by amending and seeking comment on rules related to equipment authorization and marketing.
National Security Advisory Regarding Covered List Security Risks
关于 Covered List 的更新
National Security Advisory Regarding Covered List Security Risks
“The FCC’s Covered List determinations also apply to the subsidiaries and affiliates of entities that produce or provide the equipment or services identified on the Covered List. We therefore attach, as Appendix A to this Advisory, a list of subsidiaries and affiliates that entities named on the Covered List have identified to the Commission via filings in ET Docket No. 21-232 as producing covered communications equipment and services.
Appendix B includes all subsidiaries and affiliates of Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. (Zhejiang Dahua) that it listed in a filing in ET Docket No. 21-232 on September 22, 2025.
The Appendices do not constitute a comprehensive list of all entities that the Commission may find, upon further examination, to qualify as relevant subsidiaries or affiliates of entities on the Covered List. We are making this information available on the Commission’s Covered List webpage and will update it as the Commission determines that other changes need to be made.”
Public Notice: PDF
FCC Laboratory Recognition Review
以下项目已经公布在 Federal Register
The following item(s) of interest have been published in the FCC Daily Digest:
FCC Begins Proceeding to Withdraw Recognition of Telecommunication Technology Labs, CAICT, as an Accredited Test Laboratory. The Office of Engineering and Technology has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition of Telecommunication Technology Labs, CAICT, as an accredited test laboratory. (Dkt No. 25-267)
Action by: Chief, OET. Adopted: 2025-10-24 by ORDER. (DA No. 25-929) OMR OET. [DA-25-929A1.pdf]
FCC Begins Proceedings to Withdraw Recognition of CVC Testing Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. as an Accredited Test Laboratory. The Office of Engineering and Technology has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition of CVC Testing Technology (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd. as an accredited test laboratory. (Dkt No. 25-273)
Action by: Chief, OET. Adopted: 2025-10-24 by ORDER. (DA No. 25-933) OMR OET. [DA-25-933A1.pdf]
FCC Begins Proceedings to Withdraw Recognition of TUV Rheinland/CCIC (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. as an Accredited Test Laboratory. The Office of Engineering and Technology has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition of TUV Rheinland/CCIC (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. as an accredited test laboratory. (Dkt No. 25-269)
Action by: Chief, OET. Adopted: 2025-10-24 by ORDER. (DA No. 25-931) OMR OET. [DA-25-931A1.pdf]
What the Second Report and Order Would Do:
- Clarify that covered equipment includes modular transmitters.
- Prohibit authorization of devices that include modular transmitters that are covered equipment.
- Provide a procedure to limit previously granted authorizations of covered equipment to prohibit continued importation and marketing of such equipment, without limiting continued operation or use.
- Clarify the term “produced by” as used in the rules.
- Clarify the prohibition on modification, including permissive changes, to previously authorized covered equipment or equipment that would become covered as a result of such modification or permissive change.
What the Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Would Do:
- Seek additional comment on modular transmitters and component parts in relation to covered equipment.
- Propose a definition of “critical infrastructure” as used in the Covered List and seek comment on its implementation.
- Seek comment on whether any device modification made by an entity identified on the Covered List should require full certification.
- Seek comment on clarifying the scope of activities that constitute marketing of equipment.
- Seek comment on measures to strengthen enforcement of marketing prohibitions.
Please review the entire 61-page document for details.
Deleting Wireless Rules: PDF
In re: Delete, Delete, Delete
Direct Final Rule – GN Docket No. 25-133
Background:
The Direct Final Rule marks the next step in the Commission’s ongoing effort to modernize its regulatory framework and pave the way for the next generation of innovation.
The In re: Delete, Delete, Delete proceeding launched a broad review aimed at eliminating outdated rules, reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens, accelerating infrastructure deployment, promoting network modernization, and spurring innovation.
This Direct Final Rule is an important step following the Trump Administration’s deregulation initiative, reflected in Executive Order 14192, “Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation”, and Executive Order 14219, “Ensuring Lawful Governance and Implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency Deregulatory Initiative.”
If adopted, this Direct Final Rule would repeal certain wireless telecommunication rules identified as obsolete, outdated, or unnecessary.
What the Direct Final Rule Would Do:
- Repeal approximately 398 rule provisions and rule parts, totaling 58,598 words across about 138 pages in the Code of Federal Regulations.
- Identify rules that no longer serve the public interest because they have expired, govern obsolete technologies, regulate null licensee sets, or duplicate other requirements.
- Find prior notice and comment “unnecessary” under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) but still allow an opportunity for input.
- Automatically repeal the identified rules absent significant adverse comments.
It is unclear what impact the removal of many rule parts may have, but the description suggests that the removal of 22.379 RF Exposure, 24.52 RF Exposure, and 24.235 Frequency Stability (and possibly others) is intended to eliminate duplicative rules and requirements.
Please note that, even though the FCC is not operating during the U.S. Government shutdown, these items remain subject to the FCC ex parte rules.
This document has been circulated for tentative consideration by the Commission at its October 28, 2025 open meeting. The issues referenced in this document and the Commission’s ultimate resolution remain under consideration and subject to change. This document does not constitute any official action by the Commission. However, the Chair has determined that, in the interest of public understanding, this document should be made available. The FCC’s ex parte rules apply, and presentations are subject to “permit-but-disclose” requirements. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1206, 1.1200(a). Participants in this proceeding should familiarize themselves with the Commission’s ex parte rules, including the general prohibition on presentations on matters listed on the Sunshine Agenda, typically released one week before the Commission’s meeting. See 47 C.F.R. §§ 1.1200(a), 1.1203.
FCC Begins Proceedings to Withdraw Recognition of CVC Testing Technology Co. Ltd. as an Accredited Test Laboratory.
The Office of Engineering and Technology has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition of CVC Testing Technology Co. Ltd. as an accredited test laboratory.
(Dkt No. 25-272)
Action by: Chief, OET. Adopted: 2025-10-24 by ORDER.
(DA No. 25-932) OMR OET. [DA-25-932A1.pdf]
FCC Begins Proceeding to Withdraw Recognition of Chongqing Academy of Information and Communications Technology as an Accredited Test Laboratory.
The Office of Engineering and Technology has begun proceedings to withdraw recognition of the Chongqing Academy of Information and Communications Technology as an accredited test laboratory.
(Dkt No. 25-268)
Action by: Chief, OET. Adopted: 2025-10-24 by ORDER.
(DA No. 25-930) OMR OET. [DA-25-930A1.pdf]
ISED Guidance on SAR Test Reduction
ISED 关于特定吸收率（SAR）评估中测试削减的指导方针
ISED Guidance on Test Reduction for Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) Assessment
Through this notice, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) clarifies its position on a particular SAR assessment test reduction in accordance with section 5.1 of RSS-102.SAR.MEAS.
For any device that has been tested at 5 mm or less for 1g body SAR, testing at 0 mm for 10g extremity/limb SAR becomes optional, provided that all the following conditions are met:
- The operating frequencies are below 6 GHz.
- The same power levels and tune-up tolerances apply for both the body and extremity/limb use cases.
To apply this test reduction, the RF exposure technical brief must include a description demonstrating how all of the above requirements are satisfied.
It is important to note that the extremity/limb SAR test reduction is not applicable for:
- Hand exposure during next-to-head voice calls, as described in section 5.10 of RSS-102.SAR.MEAS.
- Exposure above 6 GHz, which is subject to absorbed power density (APD) limits.
Read the full guidance on ISED’s official site →
EU ETSI Standards – New and Updated Publications
欧盟更新
The following new and updated standards were published by ETSI in September 2025:
ETSI EN 304 223 V2.0.0 (2025-09)
ETSI EN 301 489-55 V1.1.1 (2025-10)
ETSI EN 301 489-13 V2.1.1 (2025-10)
ETSI EN 300 440-2 V3.1.1 (2025-10)
Missed last month?
Catch up on the October 2025 FCC and ISED updates
This newsletter is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult the official FCC and ISED publications for complete and current regulatory requirements.
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