On August 4, reporters were informed that the mandatory national standard, titled "Safety Requirements for Autonomous Driving Systems of Intelligent Connected Vehicles" (GB 44721—2026), which has been meticulously formulated and is overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, has received approval and been officially issued by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the Standardization Administration of China. This standard is set to come into effect on July 1, 2027.

This standard is specifically applicable to M- and N-category vehicles that are outfitted with Level 3 and Level 4 autonomous driving systems. However, it does not cover automatic parking systems. The standard mandates that vehicle manufacturers must establish comprehensive safeguard capabilities that encompass the entire lifecycle of product design and development, manufacturing, and post-deployment phases. This is to be achieved through four key dimensions: safety policy formulation, risk management strategies, safety assurance measures, and safety enhancement initiatives.

Furthermore, the standard delineates specific test requirements that must be adhered to during the research, development, and verification stages of autonomous driving systems. It also places a strong emphasis on enhancing the system's dynamic driving task execution capabilities, standardizing human-machine interaction protocols, and outlining user notification requirements. Additionally, it stipulates that Level 3 autonomous driving systems must be equipped with driver takeover capability monitoring functions to ensure seamless transition and safety.

Moreover, the United Nations Global Technical Regulation on Autonomous Driving Systems (ADS GTR), a project spearheaded by China in its development, was also approved and released in June 2026. While maintaining harmony with international regulations, China's standard is meticulously crafted to better align with the unique demands of China's road traffic environment and industry management practices.