FCC Adds Power Inverters, Advanced Robotics to National Security 'Covered List'
Companies in the energy, manufacturing, agriculture, and mining sectors must now scrutinize their supply chains after the FCC banned new approvals for foreign-made power inverters and advanced robotics, citing national security risks.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added foreign-produced advanced robotic devices and power inverters to its "Covered List," blocking any new models from receiving the authorization required for importation and sale in the United States. The commission cited unacceptable risks to national security for the move, which follows similar recent restrictions on foreign-produced drones and routers. Existing models that received FCC authorization before July 28, 2026, are not affected and can continue to be imported, sold, and receive software updates.
This action signals a procedural shift from banning specific entities to banning broad, high-risk product categories regardless of the manufacturer, placing a significant new diligence burden on US companies. The rule impacts a wide array of sectors, including energy developers using utility-scale inverters, battery storage operators, and industrial clients in manufacturing, mining, and agriculture that use autonomous mobile robots. Companies must now proactively verify the origin of their equipment. A narrow exception exists for equipment that qualifies as a "domestic end product" under the Buy American Act standard. Suppliers can apply for a "Conditional Approval" by January 1, 2028, but this requires a detailed onshoring and U.S. manufacturing plan.