Mentioned:DJIVersatermAloft
The FCC will vote October 29 on an order that cuts off recognition of every test lab in mainland China by December 1, 2028. Chinese laboratories tested 82 percent of devices seeking US import authorization in 2025, according to the FCC's draft order.
What's happening
- FCC votes October 29 on order eliminating recognition of all mainland Chinese test labs effective December 1, 2028.
- Chinese labs tested 38,491 of 46,402 devices that applied for FCC authorization in 2025, versus fewer than 4 percent tested by US labs.
- Policy does not change the existing ban on foreign-made drones listed as covered items since December 2025.
Why it matters
- Eliminates primary testing pathway for US-importable consumer electronics including DJI accessories, Osmo series cameras and chargers that still qualify for approval.
- Forces device manufacturers to relocate testing operations to US or allied laboratories, increasing certification timelines and costs for companies dependent on Chinese test infrastructure.
- Creates supply chain friction for any device category requiring FCC authorization before US import, compressing already limited US testing capacity.
Going deeper
- Versaterm integrated LAANC airspace approval directly into DroneSense platform through Aloft acquisition, enabling public safety agencies to request authorization without leaving operational software.
- DJI launched Dock 4 with automatic 25-second battery swaps and 45-second landing-to-takeoff cycle, but Covered List designation prohibits US sale or use.
The fine print
- Policy applies to all electronics categories including phones, cameras and routers, not drones specifically.
- DJI Covered List ban remains in effect independent of testing lab location; devices tested outside China still cannot obtain new FCC grants.
Source: dronexl.co · Oct 16, 2026 · Drafted with Claude, reviewed by Industrial Base Alpha.
