The Equipment Industry Department No. 1, operating under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has initiated a public consultation process regarding the mandatory national standard titled "Safety Technical Specifications for Vehicle Door Handles", alongside proposed revisions to three additional mandatory national standards. Notably, the "Safety Technical Specifications" introduce specific regulations concerning "fully concealed" exterior door handles. These regulations mandate that each vehicle door must be outfitted with an exterior door handle that incorporates a mechanical release mechanism. Furthermore, regardless of its operational state, the exterior door handle must ensure a hand-manipulation space of no less than 60mm in width, 20mm in depth, and 25mm in height relative to the vehicle's body surface, thereby effectively banning the "fully concealed" handle design.
In recent times, the concealed door handle design has gained traction among automotive manufacturers. However, it has also sparked concerns due to its elevated failure rates and associated safety risks. In response to these issues, the standard drafting committee has undertaken comprehensive research and formulation efforts. They recommend that this standard be implemented on January 1, 2027, with a designated transition period to facilitate compliance. Presently, the deadline for submitting feedback on the "Safety Technical Specifications" standard is set for November 22, 2025. It is anticipated that the official standard will be promulgated within the current year.