FCC Modifies Equipment Authorization Rules For Certain Chinese Manufacturers

TAKEAWAYS

• Elimination of expedited approval procedures reduces possible evasion of FCC's rules.
• Adoption of new rules to revoke existing equipment certifications for covered products issued to entities on Covered List is likely.
• Without the opportunity to obtain equipment authorizations or comply with the SDoC procedures, the "covered" manufacturers are essentially barred from all import, marketing and sales activities for "covered" equipment.

On November 25, 2022, the Federal Communications Commission released a Report and Order modifying its equipment authorization rules to prohibit the importation, marketing and sale of certain communications equipment produced by entities on its Covered List. In particular, the FCC adopted rules to prohibit the issuance of equipment authorization certifications, along with eliminating the use of the more flexible Supplier's Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) procedures, for these entities. By prohibiting the issuance