Robotics and Power Inverters Covered List

The FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau adds foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices to the FCC Covered List based on Executive Branch national-security determinations.

What it does The Public Notice updates the Covered List to include “Foreign-produced power inverters,” except devices granted a Conditional Approval by the Department of War (DoW) or Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and “Foreign-produced advanced robotic devices,” except devices granted a DoW Conditional Approval. It adopts the determinations’ definitions and explains that foreign production, rather than identification of a particular entity, defines these new categories. It also describes submission and evaluation processes for Conditional Approvals.

Who it affects Foreign producers, importers, equipment authorization applicants, testing laboratories, and telecommunications and infrastructure businesses using covered equipment are affected. Covered equipment is prohibited from receiving FCC equipment authorization, and applicants must certify that equipment is not covered. The notice states that the new category-based entries do not trigger rules applying to entities identified on the Covered List.

Why it matters The action extends the Covered List beyond named companies to power-grid equipment and networked robotic systems. The cited risks include lack of secure U.S. supply chain, supply-chain disruption, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, remote manipulation, surveillance, data exfiltration, and threats to critical infrastructure and U.S. persons. The notice also republishes the broader updated list, including prior telecommunications, surveillance, cybersecurity, UAS, and router entries.

Key dates and numbers

• Released and Covered List updated: July 28, 2026 (the catalogue date is recorded as July 28, 2028).
• National Security Determinations transmitted to the FCC: July 27, 2026.
• New entries: foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices.
• Relevant rules: 47 CFR §§ 1.50002, 1.50003, 2.903(a), and 2.911(d)(5)(i).