EU Sets New EMC Rules for 6G Massive MIMO Base Stations Exported from China

On August 15, 2026, the European Commission formally issued the Communication Equipment Electromagnetic Compatibility Implementing Regulation 2026/1789. According to the information provided, the rule will become mandatory from January 1, 2027 for all 6G Massive MIMO base station equipment placed on the EU market. The immediate significance for Chinese suppliers is clear: exports to Europe will now face a more demanding compliance threshold tied to both new frequency conditions and new testing scenarios.

The most consequential change in the published summary is the addition of radiation limits for the sub-terahertz range of 0.1-0.3 THz, together with real-time EMC test protocols for dynamic beam-scanning scenarios. That combination suggests the EU is no longer treating electromagnetic compatibility for next-generation base stations as a static, conventional certification issue alone. For equipment vendors, compliance may increasingly depend on how systems behave under operating conditions that are closer to actual network use.

For Chinese manufacturers with an established export path to Europe, this is likely to affect product preparation well before final shipment. The summary indicates that design verification processes will need to be upgraded in parallel with third-party type testing cooperation plans. In practical terms, that points to a broader compliance workload across R&D, validation, certification coordination, and market-entry planning. Even where product platforms are already technically mature, the regulatory bar may shift enough to require additional test methods, revised internal benchmarks, or changes in how compliance evidence is assembled.

One point worth watching is that the new requirement does not appear limited to a paperwork update. Because the rule introduces real-time EMC testing under dynamic beam scanning, the compliance challenge may extend into system behavior, test environment setup, and repeatability of results. That could raise the importance of closer alignment between equipment design teams and external testing partners, especially where test protocols must reflect advanced radio conditions rather than a purely fixed emissions profile.

From an industry perspective, the measure may also signal how future market-access rules for advanced telecom equipment are evolving in Europe. If regulators are moving toward more scenario-based EMC assessment for emerging frequency bands, manufacturers serving international markets may need to treat regulatory readiness as part of core product development rather than a later certification step. Whether that becomes a broader pattern will depend on subsequent regulatory documents, technical guidance, and how testing practice develops after the rule takes effect.

Based on the information available here, the near-term focus for the sector is straightforward: the transition window runs until the start of 2027, and affected exporters will need to assess how the new sub-terahertz limits and dynamic testing requirements map onto existing development and certification workflows. Further clarity will likely come from official regulatory publications, standard-related technical documents, third-party testing updates, and company disclosures related to compliance preparation.