Media Contact: MediaRelations@fcc.gov For Immediate Release CHAIRWOMAN ROSENWORCEL & COMMISSIONER CARR: AGENCY RULES SHOULD BAR ENTITIES OF NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN FROM CERTIFYING WIRELESS EQUIPMENT Proposed Rules for Certification Bodies and Test Labs for Equipment Authorization -- WASHINGTON, May 1, 2024—Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel and Commissioner Brendan Carr today announced a proposal to ensure that wireless equipment authorizations are not compromised by entities that have been found to pose national security concerns. If adopted by a vote of the full Commission at its next Open Meeting, this bipartisan proposal would ensure that telecommunications certification bodies and test labs that certify wireless devices for the U.S. market are not influenced by untrustworthy actors. The Commission’s senior leaders seek to strengthen the integrity of the FCC’s equipment authorization program and build a more secure and resilient supply chain that is resistant to evolving national security threats. Last week, in furtherance of these objectives, the FCC denied the ability of the test lab of Huawei—an entity that the agency’s national security partners have found to pose a unique threat to the security and integrity of our nation’s communications networks and supply chains—to participate in the equipment authorization program. This new proceeding would permanently prohibit Huawei and other entities on the FCC’s Covered List from playing any role in the equipment authorization program while also providing the FCC and its national security partners the necessary tools to safeguard this important process. “Communications networks are a part of everything we do, and it’s why their security matters more than ever before,” said Chairwoman Rosenworcel. “So we must ensure that our equipment authorization program and those entrusted with administering it can rise to the challenge posed by persistent and ever-changing security and supply chain threats. I appreciate the cooperation and input from my colleague, Commissioner Carr, in moving this important proposal forward.” “This proposal represents another significant step in the FCC’s work to advance the security of America’s communications networks,” said Commissioner Carr. “It does so by proposing to ensure that the test labs and certification bodies that review electronic devices for compliance with FCC requirements are themselves trustworthy actors that the FCC can rely on. I would like to thank Chairwoman Rosenworcel for her leadership and support for advancing this bipartisan initiative and look forward working with our FCC colleagues to adopt it next month.” In implementing the Secure Equipment Act of 2021, the FCC adopted new equipment authorization security rules that prohibit authorization of communications equipment that has been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to national security. These rules place significant responsibilities on entities to which the Commission has delegated important responsibilities for authorizing wireless devices for sale in the United States, namely telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs) and measurement facilities (test labs). The FCC’s equipment authorization program reviews wireless devices prior to sale in the United States to ensure they abide by FCC power and spectrum band requirements. The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology oversees the program and authorizes test labs and TCBs as primary testers and certifiers of equipment. Today’s proposal would ensure that those labs and certifiers meet and are accountable for strict national security criteria. The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which will be circulated to the Commissioners by the Chairwoman today, proposes prohibiting the equipment authorization program working with any lab or certification body with direct or indirect ownership or control by any entity on the Covered List. To implement this prohibition, it proposes a 10% ownership or control threshold and a 5% reporting threshold. Finally, it seeks comment on whether and how the Commission should consider national security determinations made in other Executive Branch agency lists in establishing eligibility qualifications for FCC recognition of a TCB or a test lab in our equipment authorization program. ### Media Relations: (202) 418-0500 / ASL: (844) 432-2275 / Twitter: @FCC / www.fcc.gov This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).