US – FCC Updates Covered List To Include Foreign-produced Advanced Robotic Devices And Power Inverters On National Security Grounds.

On July 28, 2026, the FCC updated its Covered List to include two new categories of foreign-produced devices — advanced robotic devices and power inverters — based on “national security determinations” by the executive branch finding that these devices pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security. The action applies to all foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices. The Covered List update also does not restrict the purchase or use of power inverters or advanced robotic devices by the federal government. The Conditional Approval ProcessProducers of covered foreign-produced power inverters and advanced robotic devices may apply for a “Conditional Approval” (to the Department of War (DoW)1 or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for power inverters, and to the DoW alone for advanced robotic devices), which, if granted, would exempt their devices from Covered List restrictions. No conditional approvals have yet been granted in this context, so specific timing for reviews of advanced robotic devices and power inverters remains to be seen.