What it does The Second Report and Order creates a priority fast-track process for Pre-Approval Guidance applications tested by U.S. or other “Trusted Test Labs” in Reciprocal Economies; requires test labs and TCBs to disclose the number and business location of employees involved in FCC-recognized testing or certification; and directs OET to revise post-market surveillance, strengthen enforcement, establish a confidential reporting channel, and create a consolidated human-readable and, where feasible, machine-readable prohibited-entity list. For U.S. publicly traded companies, the order changes five-percent ownership reporting deadlines to run from actual knowledge of the relevant change. The accompanying Second Further Notice asks about restricting recognition of test labs, TCBs, and accreditation bodies in non-Reciprocal Economies and modernizing the Equipment Authorization System.

Who it affects The rules directly affect FCC-recognized test laboratories, telecommunications certification bodies, laboratory accreditation bodies, equipment applicants and manufacturers, and entities appearing on incorporated federal security lists. Garmin International, Inc.’s petition is granted to the extent described.

Why it matters The FCC links domestic and reciprocal-country testing to reduced foreign surveillance and intellectual-property risks, greater accountability, and a more resilient equipment-authorization system. The order also expands transparency and enforcement while leaving broader non-Reciprocal Economy restrictions for further comment.

Key dates and numbers

• Adopted April 30, 2026; released May 1, 2026; comments are due 30 days and replies 60 days after Federal Register publication.
• The FCC reports 39 recognized TCBs, including 23 in the United States, and 23 test labs removed from recognition after the prior order.
• In 2025, OET reviewed about 3,369 PAG applications, including 579 using U.S.-based labs and TCBs.
• The estimated annual benefit of fast-track processing is approximately $770,000, against approximately $16,000 in annual reporting costs.