Following over 240 days of meticulous development, the world's inaugural safety technical standard for automobile door handles has been formally established. The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has recently formulated a mandatory national standard (GB 48001-2026), which has received approval from both the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. This standard is set to take effect on January 1, 2027.

The standard meticulously outlines specifications for mechanical release mechanisms, door opening procedures, layout areas, operational spaces, as well as markings and instructions for door handle operation. It primarily addresses prevalent issues, including the inconvenience of operating exterior door handles, the inability to open doors post-accident, and the subpar operational convenience, functional integrity, and recognizability of interior door handles.

According to the new standard, each door (excluding the tailgate) must be equipped with both an exterior mechanical release handle and an interior door handle. This ensures that non-collision side doors can be opened using mechanical handles in the aftermath of an accident. Furthermore, exterior door handles are required to provide ample hand operating space, with a minimum volume of 30 cubic centimeters.

The implementation of this new standard will be carried out in stages. Beginning January 1, 2027, new vehicle models seeking type approval must adhere to all requirements, with the exception of those pertaining to 'hand operating space.' Starting January 1, 2028, all new vehicle models must fully comply with every requirement. Approved vehicle models, on the other hand, will have until January 1, 2029, to achieve complete compliance with all stipulated requirements.