FCC Makes It Official: Drone and Electronics Testing Must Leave Mainland China by December 2028

It’s official. At its October 29 open meeting, the Federal Communications Commission voted to stop recognizing electronics test labs located in countries that don’t recognize American labs in return. Mainland China is the main target. The order is FCC 26-73, a Third Report and Order in ET Docket No. 24-136, and it was released October 30. The cutoff is December 1, 2028. A day later, China’s Commerce Ministry demanded that the U.S. reverse the rule.

For drone pilots, this matters because almost every drone, controller, goggle set and video transmitter sold in the U.S. needs FCC equipment authorization. That process starts with testing at an FCC-recognized lab.

What the FCC adopted

According to the FCC’s news release and the full order:

• Reciprocity or nothing. Starting December 1, 2028, the FCC will only recognize test labs, Telecommunications Certification Bodies and lab accreditation bodies located in the U.S. or in a “Reciprocal Economy.” That means a country or territory with a mutual recognition agreement or a comparable deal with the United States. The actual testing, certification and accreditation work has to happen in those places too.
• Who’s on the list. The order’s Appendix D names the reciprocal economies. They include Canada, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Israel, the United Kingdom and many European Union countries, plus Taiwan (listed as Chinese Taipei) and Hong Kong. Mainland China is not on it.
• Why. The FCC says that today less than 4% of electronic devices are tested in U.S. labs. It also says its earlier “Bad Labs” rules have already cost 29 labs their FCC recognition over ties to foreign adversaries.
• The vote. Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioners Anna Gomez and Olivia Trusty all approved it.

What it does not do

The order is forward-looking. It doesn’t revoke existing equipment authorizations or require already approved devices to be retested. Applications received before the compliance date can go ahead under the current rules. Manufacturers can also keep doing design, pre-compliance and R&D testing wherever they like. Only the formal certification testing has to move. The FCC chose a uniform two-year transition instead of an immediate ban to give labs in the U.S. and partner countries time to add capacity.

This is also separate from the FCC’s Covered List actions, which already block new authorizations for foreign-produced drones and drone components on their own schedule. The test lab rule affects every electronics maker, including U.S. drone brands if they currently use labs in mainland China.

China pushes back

In a spokesperson Q&A posted October 30, China’s Ministry of Commerce expressed “strong dissatisfaction with and firm opposition to” the rule, in Xinhua’s translation. The ministry argued the rule will raise testing costs and slow product delivery for American companies and consumers. It urged Washington to revoke it immediately and warned that China “will take further necessary measures” if the U.S. goes ahead. China’s next steps are worth watching. Beijing’s new export-license rules for larger drone motors, speed controllers and propellers start November 18.

The FCC’s own record acknowledges the cost concerns. It cites commenters predicting higher testing bills and delays of weeks to months, while saying those estimates don’t add up to a reliable total.

What this means for drone pilots

• Your current gear is fine. Nothing you already own loses its FCC authorization because of this vote.
• Watch new product timelines from 2028 on. Brands that rely on mainland Chinese labs have about two years to move their testing. Expect some to pass higher costs or slower launches along to buyers.
• Check FCC IDs before you buy. Between the Covered List and this rule, the FCC authorization behind a drone or radio matters more than ever, especially for commercial and public safety fleets.
• Stay sharp on the rules. Regulations around drones keep changing on several fronts at once. Getting certified through Drone U’s Part 107 course gives you a solid base to follow it all.

Sources: FCC news release; FCC 26-73 order; China Ministry of Commerce; Xinhua

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