USA - Protecting Against National Security Threats to the Communications Supply Chain through the Equipment Authorization Program

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted final rules to strengthen its equipment-authorization program against national-security risks in the communications supply chain. The rules take effect on October 13, 2026.

- Closing a loophole by barring authorization of devices that contain logic-bearing hardware components made by an entity on the FCC’s Covered List, if the device would have been prohibited had that entity manufactured the complete device.

- Requiring full certification for any equipment modification or permissive change made by a Covered List entity.

- Clarifying that marketing restrictions apply to all entities marketing unauthorized equipment, including online marketplaces.

- Requiring online marketplaces, with limited exceptions, to display a product’s FCC ID at the online point of sale.

- Updating the definition of “critical infrastructure” used for the Covered List and correcting two administrative errors in the FCC rules.