U.S. BIS seeks comments on Section 232 investigations of imports of medical equipment and robotics
Initiation of two Section 232 investigations to assess the impact on U.S. national security
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) of the U.S. Department of Commerce today released notices announcing the initiation of two Section 232 investigations to assess the impact on U.S. national security of imports of (1) personal protective equipment (PPE), medical consumables, and medical equipment including devices, and (2) robotics and industrial machinery.
Written comments, data, or analyses relevant to either investigation must be submitted within 21 days after publication in the Federal Register, expected on September 26, 2025.
- For the PPE and medical equipment investigation, BIS seeks input on items such as surgical masks, gloves, diagnostic reagents, hospital beds, and medical devices, excluding pharmaceuticals.
- For the robotics and industrial machinery investigation, BIS is focused on equipment including robots, CNC machines, and related components, excluding unmanned aircraft systems.
Comments are requested on issues such as domestic production capacity, foreign supply chain risks, trade practices, and the potential for foreign control or exploitation of supply chains.