MOFCOM Spokesperson Answers Questions on FCC Vote to Approve Restrictive Measures on Testing Laboratories

Source: Ministry of Commerce website. Question: On October 29, US Eastern Time, the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to approve restrictive measures on testing laboratories. Starting from December 1, 2028, it will prohibit the authorization of testing laboratories, telecommunications certification bodies, and laboratory accreditation bodies located in China and other so-called "non-reciprocal economies," and prohibit the conduct of FCC-related testing, certification, or accreditation activities in "non-reciprocal economies." What is the Ministry of Commerce's comment on this?

Answer: We have noted the relevant situation. For some time, the US Federal Communications Commission has disregarded China's repeated representations, violated the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, and frequently introduced China-related restrictive measures. This has seriously damaged the interests of China and other relevant trading partners, seriously undermined the stability of China-US economic and trade relations, and seriously disrupted the stability of global industrial and supply chains. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and firm opposition to this, and has previously taken countermeasures in response. Chinese testing laboratories are an important part of the global testing and certification system and provide an economical and efficient guarantee for the production and trade of global communications electronics and intelligent manufacturing-related products. The US side ignores the objective laws of global economic development and industrial cooperation and division of labor, intervenes in market choices through administrative means, and forcibly promotes so-called "testing reshoring," raising enterprises' testing costs and lengthening product delivery and iteration cycles, which will ultimately harm the interests of US enterprises and consumers. China has previously proposed negotiations on a "bilateral mutual recognition agreement" multiple times, but the US side has been extremely negative and unresponsive. China's door to resolving issues through consultation has always been open. We hope the US side will face the calls of the industry, respect market laws, meet China halfway, and immediately withdraw the relevant measures. If the US side insists on going its own way, China will take further necessary measures and firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests.