The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is expected to vote on new rules intended to support the integrity and security of electronic device testing.
Described in a draft Second Report and Order and Second Notice of Proposed Rulemaking posted on the FCC’s website in early April, the new rules would further support the Commission’s current efforts to ban recognition of testing labs, testing certification bodies, and laboratory accreditation bodies located in or operating within countries that do not have a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) or reciprocal trade agreement with the U.S. in effect.
More specifically, the new rules would:
- Require all test labs and telecommunications certification bodies (TCBs) to provide the Commission with the names of all foreign employees involved in testing and certification activities;
- Update post-market surveillance and enforcement procedures and establish confidential communications channels to report potential violations or national security concerns;
- Develop a consolidated list of prohibited testing labs to facilitate more efficient applicant screening; and
- Provide an expedited review process for devices tested by “Trusted Test Labs,” that is, labs based in the S. or in a country with an MRA or comparable trade agreement in effect.
The FCC’s Second Report and Order on the integrity and security of device testing is available at https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-420714A1.pdf.