Tech Brief (May 6): U.S. Moves to Block Chinese Labs From Certifying Electronics

U.S. moves to block Chinese labs from certifying electronics

The U.S. has proposed new rules that would bar testing laboratories in countries lacking mutual recognition agreements (MRAs), including China, from certifying electronic equipment for the U.S. market. If implemented, the measure could cut off more than 150 testing facilities on the Chinese mainland from certifying electronics exports, raising costs for many manufacturers with U.S. operations while escalating technological tensions between Washington and Beijing. The proposal stipulates that testing labs and certification bodies in countries that lack either an MRA with the U.S. or a comparable reciprocal trade agreement will lose Federal Communications Commission recognition. The affected facilities would see their accreditation phased out within two years.