Surprised this hasn't come up yet as it's seems to be saturating the news all over the place right now..
FCC Bans “bad Labs” From Certifying Devices For The U.S. Market - May 24, 2025-
http://m.radiowalkietalkie.com/news/fcc-bans-bad-labs-from-certifying-devices-fo-85096507.html
"The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously approved a new rule designed to prevent foreign adversaries from owning or controlling equipment testing labs and certification bodies responsible for approving wireless electronic devices for the U.S. market...
...The new rules will not have a retroactive effect on existing equipment certifications. However,..
...The "bad labs" defined by the FCC mainly include the following situations:
First, testing laboratories, certification bodies and laboratory accreditation bodies owned, controlled or directed by "restricted entities" will be identified as "bad labs". ...that are considered to pose a threat to US national security... ..and laboratories that fail to provide accurate information or provide false information will also lose their accreditation..."
..
The FCC has had plenty of time and plenty of evidence to get rid of labs that falsify results. And they haven't.
I don't think that this has much to do with radio; it's more politics (as indicated by the statements about "foreign adversaries").
It's certainly not going to stop pirates, who don't give a fig about the regulations, certification, and potential interference. The only way to do that is to stop the sale and importation of illegal devices. You'll still be left with those who roll their own, but it's an easy way to stop the casual ones.
@artisan-radio Well, unless I'm misinterpreting, this has now already gone into effect and now has already put a stop to the falsely certificated products entering the market.
I agree it's all primarily political- but the results are that the "bad labs" can no longer certify products bogusly.
It won't stop the Chinese transmitters from selling on Amazon and Ebay. And the CZH 05B under many other brand names like Retekess, Rangestar, whatever, can keep the certification it has.
I was curious who the FCC defined as foreign adversaries, and read the press release. The only country mentioned in it is China.