FCC Releases Significant Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Wireless Certification
In what is likely to be one of the most significant rewrites of FCC rules, the FCC has released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
Some of the significant changes that are being considered currently:
- Seeking comment on whether to extend the prohibitions adopted today to entities subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign adversary and to extend the group of prohibited entities to include several additional lists from federal agencies or statutes.
- Seeking further comment on ways the Commission can facilitate and encourage more equipment authorization testing to occur at test labs located in the United States or United States allied countries.
- Proposing revisions to TCB post-market surveillance procedures.
- Proposing to restrict relationships between TCBs and the test labs for which the TCB reviews applications.
- Proposing to require the use of FCC-recognized accredited test labs for authorization pursuant to Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity.
If some or all of these proposals are adopted, it will significantly change the landscape of the testing industry, particularly for testing and certification data that are sourced from China (and Russia, to a lesser extent).
The aim of the proposed Rules is to strengthen the integrity of the Laboratory and Certification Environment.
For the full proposed rule, visit the Office of the Federal Register: [ET Docket No. 24-136; FR ID 302403].
Additional FCC Highlights
- T-Mobile & SpaceX Waiver Granted – FCC approves a waiver affecting satellite and mobile communications under sections 2 and 25 of the rules. View Public Notice DA-25-600A1
- Volume Control Standard – Public Comments Requested – The Wireless Telecommunications Bureau seeks feedback on extending temporary volume control methods for hearing aid–compatible handset certification. View DA-25-585A1
- Hitachi Rail Waiver Application (3.8–4.5 MHz) – Comments due August 15, 2025; reply comments due September 2, 2025. View DA-25-630A1
- ANSI C63.10-2020 Transition Deadline – Effective October 30, 2025, intentional radiator testing under §15.31(a)(3) must comply with the ANSI C63.10-2020 standard. View transition policy
ISED Highlights
- RSS-193 (Issue 1) – New Standard – Targets equipment operating in the 27.5–28.35 GHz band. Labs accredited for RSS-191 and RSS-192 will have recognition extended to RSS-193.
- RSS-247 (Issue 4) – Significant Changes:
- Exemption for 5600–5650 MHz
- Clarified requirements for hybrid devices
- Indoor-only labeling and emission reporting rules
- Editorial and structural refinements
- ANSI C63.10-2020 Compliance Update – ISED will accept ANSI C63.10-2020 (including Corrigendum 1: 2023 and the 2024 Amendment) through January 6, 2026; compliance will be mandatory thereafter. [View ISED Test Standards. View ISED Test Standards
