On December 22, news emerged that the State Administration for Market Regulation (also known as the National Standardization Administration) has approved and issued two compulsory national standards compiled by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC). These standards are the Real-name Registration and Activation Requirements for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles and the Operational Identification Specifications for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems. They are set to take formal effect on May 1, 2026, with the aim of fostering the safe, robust, and well-ordered development of the civil unmanned aerial vehicle industry.

According to the Statistical Bulletin on the Development of the Civil Aviation Industry in 2024 released by the CAAC, in 2024, close to 20,000 entities secured operational certificates for unmanned aerial vehicles. The number of registered drones surpassed 2 million, and the cumulative annual flight time exceeded 26 million hours.

The Real-name Registration and Activation Requirements for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles is applicable to civil unmanned aerial vehicles involved in flight or related activities within China. It delineates the management procedures and technical requirements for real-name registration and activation. This standard ensures that every drone operating in the country can be traced back to its owner, enhancing safety and accountability.

Meanwhile, the Operational Identification Specifications for Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems mandates that drones actively transmit information such as identity, location, speed, and status throughout their entire operational process. It lays out detailed technical requirements in three key areas: operational identification transmission, communication link transmission, and reception. This will enable better monitoring and management of drones, reducing potential risks and ensuring compliance with regulations.