Buying NDAA-Compliant Cameras? Why More and More Installers Choose Uniview

In this article you'll learn what the NDAA actually involves, what the latest developments are in the US and Europe, and why Uniview (UNV) is an affordable alternative if you're looking for an NDAA-compliant camera system.

October 21, 2026 4 min read

NDAA compliant camera's kopen? Waarom steeds meer installateurs kiezen voor Uniview

Hikvision and Dahua are coming under ever more pressure in the United States. Since July 2026, importing even older models for security applications has been banned, and Europe is working on its own rules for so-called high-risk suppliers. As a result, more and more customers are asking for NDAA-compliant cameras: in public tenders, at companies with a US parent, and at organisations that fall under NIS2.

What does NDAA compliant mean?

The NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act) is the US defence law. The 2019 version contains Section 889, which prohibits US government agencies from buying or using certain Chinese security and telecom equipment.

The law names five companies, including their subsidiaries:

Hikvision
Dahua
Huawei (including chips from its subsidiary HiSilicon)
ZTE
Hytera

A camera is NDAA compliant if it isn't made by one of these companies and contains no components from them. That second part matters: many cameras from other brands run on a HiSilicon chip or are built under contract by Hikvision or Dahua (OEM). Those aren't compliant either.

Latest news: the US keeps tightening restrictions on Hikvision

What started as a ban for the US government has grown into a near-total import ban on Hikvision and Dahua security equipment:

When	What happened
June 2026	The FCC announces that the import ban will also apply to older models, effective early July 2026. Existing installations may remain in use.
March–May 2026	The FCC proposes banning previously authorised equipment after all; Hikvision objects and calls on partners to file objections.
December 2025	Hikvision takes the FCC to court; the case is still pending.
November 2022	The FCC bans the authorisation and sale of new models from Hikvision and Dahua for security applications.
August 2018	The 2019 NDAA, including Section 889, is passed.

In short: if you work in or for the US, Hikvision and Dahua are practically no longer an option for security. The bans apply to equipment intended for public safety, government buildings and critical infrastructure.

Europe follows: the Cybersecurity Act 2.0

In Europe, too, the debate is shifting from guidance to legislation. On 20 January 2026, the European Commission presented the revised Cybersecurity Act (CSA 2.0), which would allow the EU to designate countries and companies as high-risk suppliers.

What the proposal would make possible:

Excluding high-risk suppliers from public tenders and EU-funded projects.
Banning their equipment from critical systems of organisations covered by NIS2, across 18 sectors including energy, healthcare and telecoms.
Phasing out equipment that has already been installed.

It is still a proposal. The European Parliament is expected to start its review at the end of 2026, with negotiations with the member states likely to follow in 2027. Which suppliers will end up on the list is not yet known.

In the Netherlands, the issue has been on the agenda for some time. In 2022 it emerged that Hikvision and Dahua cameras were installed in more than 50 Dutch municipalities, and a majority of the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) wanted them removed from police and government sites as quickly as possible. Denmark and the United Kingdom have also removed Hikvision cameras from sensitive locations.

Uniview: an affordable NDAA-compliant alternative

Looking for an NDAA-compliant camera without paying the price of brands like Axis or Hanwha? Then Uniview (UNV) is worth considering.

Not named in Section 889. Uniview is not on the list of banned companies.
NDAA-compliant product lines. Uniview has series without HiSilicon chips, such as Prime-I and Prime-III, and maintains an official list of NDAA-compliant models.
Value for money. Uniview is priced in the same segment as Hikvision and Dahua, with comparable features such as human detection, ColorHunter and AI recorders.
ONVIF. Uniview cameras support the ONVIF standard, so they also work with recorders and VMS software from other brands.

What should you check?

NDAA compliance applies per model, not to the brand as a whole. So always check:

Is the model on Uniview's NDAA list?
Is the camera free of HiSilicon chips?
What exactly does your customer require? US government projects sometimes also demand TAA compliance or manufacturing outside China. Uniview does not meet those requirements, as it is a Chinese manufacturer.

Not sure which model fits your project or tender? Get in touch – we'll be happy to look into it for you.

Frequently asked questions about NDAA-compliant cameras

Is Hikvision banned in the Netherlands?

No. In the Netherlands and the rest of the EU you can still buy and install Hikvision and Dahua. However, more and more public authorities are keeping them out of sensitive locations, and the Cybersecurity Act 2.0 could make that mandatory for critical sectors in the future.

Is Uniview NDAA compliant?

Uniview is not named in Section 889 of the NDAA. A large part of its range is NDAA compliant, but not every model. Always check Uniview's NDAA list.

Is Uniview a Chinese brand?

Yes, Uniview is a Chinese manufacturer based in Hangzhou. It isn't covered by the NDAA bans, because the law only names specific companies.

What is a HiSilicon chip?

HiSilicon is Huawei's chip subsidiary. Cameras with one of its chips are not NDAA compliant, even if they carry a different brand name.

When do I need an NDAA-compliant camera?

Mainly for projects for US companies or government bodies, for tenders that require it, and for organisations that are taking a critical look at their supplier risks under NIS2.