On July 20, 2026, the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) released Public Notice DA 26-756, exempting two more foreign-produced routers from the FCC’s Covered List. It’s the latest step in a fast-moving compliance process that manufacturers and importers of routers destined for the US market need to understand.
What's New in This Notice
DA 26-756 confirms that DoW has granted Conditional Approval to two additional devices:
- Gryphon Safety Online, Inc.’s Parental Control WiFi Router — approval valid through January 10, 2028
- Sercomm Corporation’s Air4992 Wi-Fi 7 Router — approval valid through January 10, 2028
These join a growing list of routers that have received Conditional Approval since the March 2026 addition, including devices from Netgear, eero, Nokia, Calix, Adtran, Sagemcom, Arcadyan, Hitron, Vantiva, Gemtek, Miri Technologies, and Alpha Networks, among others. Each approval carries its own defined validity period, after which the device would revert to the Covered List unless renewed.
Context: What Is the Covered List?
The Covered List is maintained by the FCC under Section 2 of the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 and Sections 1.50002(a) and 1.50003 of the Commission’s rules. It identifies equipment and services that have been determined to pose an unacceptable risk to the national security of the United States, or to the security and safety of United States persons.
Equipment placed on the Covered List cannot receive FCC equipment authorization — a significant barrier for any router manufacturer relying on foreign production.
Routers Were Added to the Covered List in March 2026
On March 23, 2026, the FCC added a new category to the Covered List: “routers produced in a foreign country, except routers which have been granted a Conditional Approval by DoW or DHS.” This addition followed a National Security Determination from an Executive Branch interagency body, which found that foreign-produced routers pose an unacceptable risk to US national security.
The Conditional Approval Pathway
Recognising that a blanket restriction would be overly broad, the Executive Branch interagency body established a Conditional Approval process. Under this process, entities producing routers in a foreign country can apply to the Department of War (DoW) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to have specific devices evaluated. If DoW or DHS determines a device does not pose an unacceptable national security risk, it grants a Conditional Approval — exempting that specific device from the Covered List for a defined period.
Importantly, these approvals don’t originate with the FCC. The Commission’s role is to update the Covered List to reflect determinations made by DoW or DHS, under its ongoing obligation to publish and maintain the list.
Why This Matters for Manufacturers
If you manufacture or import routers produced outside the US, this notice is a reminder that:
- Exemption is device-specific, not blanket. A Conditional Approval applies to the named product or product family only — it doesn’t clear an entire brand or manufacturer.
- Approvals are time-limited. Every Conditional Approval listed in DA 26-756’s Appendix B has a termination date. Manufacturers need to track these dates and plan for renewal well in advance.
- The Covered List is a moving target. New entries and new exemptions are being added on a near-monthly basis. A product’s status can change between the start and completion of a compliance program, so it needs to be checked at the time of application — not assumed from an earlier notice.
- This sits alongside, not instead of, standard FCC authorization. Being off the Covered List is a precondition for obtaining or retaining FCC equipment authorization for routers produced in a foreign country — it doesn’t replace the underlying certification or verification process.
To read the official document, access below.
How C-PRAV Can Support You
C-PRAV supports manufacturers and importers navigating FCC compliance for routers and other communications equipment entering the US market. Our team can help you determine whether your product’s country of origin brings it within the Covered List’s router provision, track the status and expiry of any applicable Conditional Approval, and manage the broader FCC equipment authorization process alongside your other target markets. As a member of the USA-FCC TCB Council, C-PRAV stays close to developments like this one so our clients don’t have to monitor them alone.
Have questions? We’re here to help.