China unveils first mandatory safety rules for autonomous vehicles

China introduced on Tuesday its first mandatory national safety standards for advanced autonomous vehicles, requiring automakers to build end-to-end safety systems before deploying Level 3 and Level 4 self-driving technologies on roads.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said the new standard on safety requirements for automated driving systems of intelligent connected vehicles will take effect on July 1.

The move comes as global automakers and technology companies race to bring autonomous driving from testing grounds into everyday transportation. China granted conditional access approval to two L3 autonomous driving vehicle models in 2025, marking an early step toward broader commercial deployment.

Under the new standard, automakers will be required to establish full-lifecycle safety management covering vehicle design, development, manufacturing and post-deployment operation. Companies must implement risk management systems, conduct simulation tests, closed-course testing and real-world road trials before deploying autonomous driving functions.

The standard also introduces clearer requirements for human-machine interaction, an issue that has become increasingly important as drivers shift between automated and manual control.

For L3 vehicles, manufacturers must equip systems with the ability to monitor whether drivers are ready and able to take over when required. Companies must also clearly inform users about the vehicle's automation level, operational boundaries, limitations and responsibilities through user manuals, websites and in-vehicle displays.