On 16 June 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) released approval drafts of two mandatory national standards for public comment: Intelligent and Connected Vehicle - Safety Requirements for Automated Driving System (GB 44721) and Limits of Dimensions, Axle Load and Masses for Motor Vehicles, Trailers and Combination Vehicles (GB 1589). MIIT also released the approval draft of the English version of the mandatory national standard On-board Accident Emergency Call System (GB 45672). Public comments are open until 24 June 2026.
The move comes as vehicle automation, electrification and connectivity are becoming more widely used in China’s automotive sector. These standards aim to set clearer baseline safety requirements for automated driving systems, vehicle structure and load limits, and emergency call functions after accidents.
Safety Requirements for Automated Driving Systems
The draft standard on automated driving systems applies to M- and N-category vehicles, meaning passenger vehicles and goods vehicles, that are equipped with Level 3 and/or Level 4 automated driving systems. In practical terms, this covers vehicles where the automated driving system can perform the driving task within defined operating conditions, such as certain roads, speeds, weather or traffic environments. Level 3 systems still involve possible human takeover when requested, while Level 4 systems are expected to complete the driving task and reach a minimum-risk condition within their defined operating conditions. The standard does not apply to automated parking systems. This standard does not apply to automated parking systems.
A key point is that an automated driving system must be able to perform the full dynamic driving task, namely, the operational and tactical aspects of driving, such as steering, braking, acceleration, monitoring the road environment and responding to traffic situation, within its designed operating conditions. The system must identify whether the current environment is within its operational design conditions, respond safely to risks, avoid unreasonable safety risks to users and other road users, and comply with road traffic rules.
The draft also sets requirements for risk scenarios, failures and situations outside the system’s operating conditions. Where necessary, the vehicle must move toward a minimum-risk condition, such as safely stopping at the roadside or in the lane when no safer option is available.
Human-machine interaction is another important part of the draft. For Level 3 systems, the vehicle must monitor whether the fallback user is able to take over, issue clear takeover requests, and allow enough time for a safe transition. The draft also requires clear user warnings, safe activation and deactivation, and confirmation that the user has received relevant training and read the instructions before using the system.
The standard further introduces requirements for safety management, safety documentation, simulation testing, real-vehicle testing and safety file review. This means manufacturers will need to prove not only that the vehicle can perform in test scenarios, but also that they have a full safety process covering development, production and post-deployment operation.
Limits on Vehicle Dimensions, Axle Load and Mass
The revised GB 1589 standard updates the limits for vehicle dimensions, axle load and total mass for motor vehicles, trailers and vehicle combinations used on roads.
The revision reflects changes in vehicle technology and transport needs. It adds or adjusts rules for special operation vehicles, recreational vehicle combinations, streamlined articulated combinations, and vehicles transporting 45-foot containers. It also refines measurement rules for vehicle dimensions and clarifies which parts may or may not be included in dimension measurements.
The draft also updates axle load and total mass requirements. These rules are important for road safety, infrastructure protection and fair transport operation. At the same time, the revision takes into account new industry needs, such as new energy commercial vehicles, intelligent connected equipment installed on vehicles, and aerodynamic vehicle designs.
English Version of the On-board Accident Emergency Call System Standard
MIIT also released the approval draft of the English version of On-board Accident Emergency Call System. The English version is consistent with the Chinese standard GB 45672-2025 - see here.
The standard applies to emergency call systems installed on M1 passenger cars and N1 light goods vehicles. It requires the system to send vehicle location and key status data to an emergency call service platform after an accident, and to establish two-way voice communication.
The system must support both automatic triggering and manual triggering. After a trigger, the system must send the minimum set of data, retry if data transmission or voice connection fails, and maintain emergency communication for a required period. The draft also includes requirements for positioning, network connection, backup power supply, physical emergency call buttons and test methods.
Comment
These drafts show that China is moving from encouraging intelligent vehicle technologies to setting mandatory safety baselines for their real-world use. For automakers and suppliers, the impact will be practical - automated driving functions, vehicle designs and emergency call systems will need stronger safety evidence, clearer user interaction design and more complete testing records. For the market, the standards may help reduce uncertainty and make advanced vehicle technologies easier to supervise, compare and deploy safely.
The move comes as vehicle automation, electrification and connectivity are becoming more widely used in China’s automotive sector. These standards aim to set clearer baseline safety requirements for automated driving systems, vehicle structure and load limits, and emergency call functions after accidents.
Safety Requirements for Automated Driving Systems
The draft standard on automated driving systems applies to M- and N-category vehicles, meaning passenger vehicles and goods vehicles, that are equipped with Level 3 and/or Level 4 automated driving systems. In practical terms, this covers vehicles where the automated driving system can perform the driving task within defined operating conditions, such as certain roads, speeds, weather or traffic environments. Level 3 systems still involve possible human takeover when requested, while Level 4 systems are expected to complete the driving task and reach a minimum-risk condition within their defined operating conditions. The standard does not apply to automated parking systems. This standard does not apply to automated parking systems.
A key point is that an automated driving system must be able to perform the full dynamic driving task, namely, the operational and tactical aspects of driving, such as steering, braking, acceleration, monitoring the road environment and responding to traffic situation, within its designed operating conditions. The system must identify whether the current environment is within its operational design conditions, respond safely to risks, avoid unreasonable safety risks to users and other road users, and comply with road traffic rules.
The draft also sets requirements for risk scenarios, failures and situations outside the system’s operating conditions. Where necessary, the vehicle must move toward a minimum-risk condition, such as safely stopping at the roadside or in the lane when no safer option is available.
Human-machine interaction is another important part of the draft. For Level 3 systems, the vehicle must monitor whether the fallback user is able to take over, issue clear takeover requests, and allow enough time for a safe transition. The draft also requires clear user warnings, safe activation and deactivation, and confirmation that the user has received relevant training and read the instructions before using the system.
The standard further introduces requirements for safety management, safety documentation, simulation testing, real-vehicle testing and safety file review. This means manufacturers will need to prove not only that the vehicle can perform in test scenarios, but also that they have a full safety process covering development, production and post-deployment operation.
Limits on Vehicle Dimensions, Axle Load and Mass
The revised GB 1589 standard updates the limits for vehicle dimensions, axle load and total mass for motor vehicles, trailers and vehicle combinations used on roads.
The revision reflects changes in vehicle technology and transport needs. It adds or adjusts rules for special operation vehicles, recreational vehicle combinations, streamlined articulated combinations, and vehicles transporting 45-foot containers. It also refines measurement rules for vehicle dimensions and clarifies which parts may or may not be included in dimension measurements.
The draft also updates axle load and total mass requirements. These rules are important for road safety, infrastructure protection and fair transport operation. At the same time, the revision takes into account new industry needs, such as new energy commercial vehicles, intelligent connected equipment installed on vehicles, and aerodynamic vehicle designs.
English Version of the On-board Accident Emergency Call System Standard
MIIT also released the approval draft of the English version of On-board Accident Emergency Call System. The English version is consistent with the Chinese standard GB 45672-2025 - see here.
The standard applies to emergency call systems installed on M1 passenger cars and N1 light goods vehicles. It requires the system to send vehicle location and key status data to an emergency call service platform after an accident, and to establish two-way voice communication.
The system must support both automatic triggering and manual triggering. After a trigger, the system must send the minimum set of data, retry if data transmission or voice connection fails, and maintain emergency communication for a required period. The draft also includes requirements for positioning, network connection, backup power supply, physical emergency call buttons and test methods.
Comment
These drafts show that China is moving from encouraging intelligent vehicle technologies to setting mandatory safety baselines for their real-world use. For automakers and suppliers, the impact will be practical - automated driving functions, vehicle designs and emergency call systems will need stronger safety evidence, clearer user interaction design and more complete testing records. For the market, the standards may help reduce uncertainty and make advanced vehicle technologies easier to supervise, compare and deploy safely.