China introduces its first mandatory national safety standards for Level 3 and Level 4 automated driving systems, marking a significant shift from guidance to enforceable rules with compliance deadline set for July 2027.
China has moved to tighten oversight of self-driving technology with its first mandatory national safety standards for Level 3 and Level 4 automated driving systems, according to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The rules apply to M- and N-category vehicles, which cover passenger and commercial models, and are intended to regulate safety across the full life cycle of the system, from development and production to after-sales use.
The standard requires manufacturers to put in place end-to-end safety management and a comprehensive risk-control framework. Before automated functions can be released, companies must complete simulation work, closed-track testing and road trials. Vehicles must also continuously monitor whether the human driver is ready to retake control, a requirement designed to reduce the risk of inattention in Level 3 systems. Automated parking systems are excluded.
According to industry reports, the move marks a shift from guidance to enforceable national rules and follows draft proposals that were opened for public comment earlier this year. The standards are due to take effect on July 1, 2027, giving manufacturers time to adapt their design, software and compliance processes before the new regime becomes binding.
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