On September 9, 2026, the FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau released Public Notice DA-26-957 announcing conditional approvals and Covered List exemptions for certain routers and advanced robotic devices. The action is product-specific and follows determinations under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act framework.

Foreign-produced routers and advanced robotic devices are generally included on the FCC Covered List unless the competent national-security authority determines that specified equipment does not pose the identified unacceptable risk. Equipment on the Covered List cannot obtain new FCC equipment authorization, which normally prevents new models from being imported, marketed or sold in the United States.

DA-26-957 removes that barrier for the devices expressly identified in the notice for the duration and subject to the conditions of their approvals. The action does not create a general exemption for all routers or robots and does not change applicable RF, EMC, SAR, labeling or testing standards.

Manufacturers, importers, Telecommunication Certification Bodies, laboratories and applicants should verify that the exact model and approval period are covered before relying on the exemption.

Impact

Impact assessment: Medium.

Key reasons: the notice changes FCC equipment-authorization eligibility for the specifically approved routers and advanced robotic devices, allowing those identified products to proceed despite category-based Covered List restrictions.

Who is affected?

The named producers, importers, FCC applicants, TCBs, test laboratories and distributors handling the specified equipment.

Conclusion:

stakeholders must confirm exact model coverage, approval conditions and validity before filing or marketing; the notice does not relax technical compliance for other products.