Federal Communications Commission	DA 26-888

 Before the
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20554


In the Matter of

Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization Program
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       ET Docket No. 21-232



ORDER

Adopted:  August 26, 2026 	Released: August 26, 2026

By the Chief, Office of Engineering and Technology.

1. By this Order, the Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) grants in part a motion filed by CEDIA, the Computer & Communications Industry Association, Consumer Technology Association, CTIA, Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance, INCOMPAS, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, National Retail Federation, NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association and Telecommunications Industry Association (collectively, Joint Petitioners) requesting an extension of the deadlines to comment on the Federal Communications Commission’s (Commission or FCC) Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) in the above-referenced proceeding. For the reasons stated below, we find that a 7-day extension of the deadline for reply comments is warranted and extend the reply comment date accordingly.
2. On July 23, 2026, the Commission released the FNPRM, which identifies multiple loopholes in the current regulatory framework that may create vulnerabilities with potential implications for national security.  Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through the Equipment Authorization Program, ET Docket No. 21-232, Third Report and Order and Third Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, FCC 26-50 (rel. July 23, 2025) (FNPRM).  
  The Commission proposed targeted rules to close these gaps and prevent entities from exploiting ambiguities that undermine its safeguards. The Commission proposed changes to the rules governing white labelling, hardware and software bills of materials, authorization of equipment containing Covered List components or software, certification of devices in Covered List sectors, equipment importation, equipment marketing, use of the FCC logo, submarine cables, duration of equipment authorizations, and revocation of equipment authorizations. The Commission also proposed to codify previously granted and expanded waivers authorizing permissive changes and to update uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and router Covered List definitions. Finally, the Commission proposed to require a U.S.-based liable party for FCC-certified equipment.
3. The FNPRM was published in the Federal Register on August 7, 2026, establishing an initial comment deadline of September 8, 2026, and a reply comment deadline of September 21, 2026. Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain Through the Equipment Authorization Program, 91 Fed. Reg. 51139 (Aug. 7, 2026).

4. On August 14, 2026, the Joint Petitioners filed a motion for a 30-day extension of the comment filing deadline (to 60 days) and 45-day extension (to 90 days) of the reply comment filing deadline, such that comments would be due October 6, 2026, and reply comments would be due November 5, 2026. Joint Petitioners Motion for Extension of Time to File Comments, ET Docket No. 21-232 (Aug. 14, 2026).  
 The Joint Petitioners state the requested extension is warranted for multiple reasons. First, the FNPRM raises complex questions which merit due consideration by stakeholders to support and advance the government’s national and public security objectives. Id. at 4.
 Second, the FNPRM advances proposals and seeks comment on questions that would significantly affect a broad swath of the U.S. economy (particularly in light of recent Covered List updates), thereby requiring an expansive set of stakeholders to engage with the proceeding. Id. 
 Third, overlapping proceedings and intervening holidays will limit stakeholders’ opportunities to engage. Id.  

5. It is the policy of the Commission that extensions of time are not routinely granted. 47 CFR § 1.46.
 However, we find that the Joint Petitioners have shown good cause for a limited extension of 7 days to file reply comments in this proceeding.  We find this limited extension will serve the public interest. An additional week for replies will provide a sufficient opportunity to bolster the record regarding the questions raised in the FNPRM. We otherwise deny the more significant extension of time requested by Joint Petitioners because national security imperatives require expeditious action. The complexity of issues in the FNPRM do not outweigh the need for regulatory certainty by stakeholders, and the FCC rules caution against routinely granting extension requests. Id. 

6. Accordingly, IT IS ORDERED that, pursuant to Section 4(i) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (47 U.S.C. § 154(i)) and Sections 0.241 and 1.46 of the Commission’s rules (47 CFR §§ 0.241 and 1.46) the Motion for Extension of Time to File Comments filed by the Joint Petitioners is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART.
7. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the date to file reply comments in this proceeding IS EXTENDED to September 28, 2026.

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION 




Andrew C. Hendrickson 
Chief 
Office of Engineering and Technology