China Introduces Mandatory Safety Requirements for Combined Driver Assistance Systems from 2027

China has officially introduced a new mandatory national safety standard for intelligent and connected passenger vehicles equipped with Combined Driver Assistance Systems (CDAS). According to information published by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) on July 2, the national standard titled Safety Requirements for Combined Driver Assistance Systems of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (GB 47955—2026) will become effective on January 1, 2027. The regulation establishes a unified safety framework for CDAS technologies while supporting industry development, regulatory oversight, and consistent implementation across intelligent vehicle platforms.

The release comes as the adoption of driver assistance technologies continues to accelerate across the Chinese passenger vehicle market. Since the beginning of 2026, approximately 70% of newly launched passenger vehicles have been equipped with Combined Driver Assistance Systems, while models featuring Navigation on Autopilot (NOA) capabilities account for more than 30% of new vehicle introductions. These adoption levels have highlighted the need for comprehensive national safety requirements capable of supporting the increasing deployment of advanced driver assistance technologies.

China Defines Safety Framework for Multiple CDAS Categories

The new regulation has been developed to address China's industrial development priorities while maintaining technical feasibility, product compatibility, and practical implementation. It introduces a structured safety indicator framework specifically designed around national operating conditions and establishes comprehensive evaluation dimensions with clearly defined safety expectations. The objective is to create a consistent regulatory foundation that supports both manufacturers and supervisory authorities as intelligent driving technologies become increasingly common throughout the passenger vehicle market.

The Safety Requirements recognize different technical architectures by defining dedicated safety requirements for three categories of Combined Driver Assistance Systems. These include basic single-lane systems, basic multi-lane systems, and Navigation on Autopilot-assisted systems. By differentiating among these product categories, the regulation allows manufacturers developing various driver assistance technologies to comply with requirements that are appropriate for their respective system capabilities while maintaining consistent safety expectations across the industry.

Key Elements Covered Under China's New CDAS Safety Standard

• Safety requirements for basic single-lane, multi-lane, and NOA-assisted systems.
• Baseline functional safety requirements for reliable system operation.
• Data recording requirements supporting safety monitoring and investigations.
• Vehicle manufacturer safety assurance responsibilities.
• Human-machine interaction, user instructions, and user training requirements.
• Comprehensive evaluation through proving ground tests, road tests, and document inspections.

Safety Requirements Address Vehicle Operation and Driver Interaction

The regulation establishes baseline operational requirements that reflect the characteristics of China's road traffic environment. These provisions cover functional system performance, vehicle data recording, and manufacturer safety assurance responsibilities to support safe operation throughout the vehicle lifecycle. The framework is intended to ensure that driver assistance technologies continue operating within clearly defined safety parameters while enabling regulators to verify compliance through standardized assessment procedures.

Recognizing that Combined Driver Assistance Systems remain driver assistance technologies rather than autonomous driving systems, the standard introduces dedicated requirements covering human-machine interaction (HMI), user instructions, user education, and operational guidance. These measures are intended to strengthen cooperation between drivers and assistance systems by ensuring users understand system capabilities, operational limitations, and appropriate usage conditions during everyday driving.

Comprehensive Evaluation Methodology Introduced

To support effective regulatory oversight, the Safety Requirements establish a multi-level evaluation methodology that combines proving ground testing, public road testing, and document inspection. This comprehensive assessment approach enables authorities to evaluate the overall safety performance of Combined Driver Assistance Systems using multiple verification methods. Together, these evaluation processes provide a structured mechanism for assessing compliance while supporting the safe deployment of increasingly sophisticated intelligent and connected vehicle technologies across China's automotive industry.

China's Combined Driver Assistance Systems Safety Requirements Timeline

The introduction of GB 47955—2026 represents a significant regulatory milestone for intelligent and connected passenger vehicles in China. By establishing standardized safety requirements covering system functionality, human-machine interaction, manufacturer responsibilities, and comprehensive evaluation procedures, the regulation provides a consistent national framework for Combined Driver Assistance Systems while supporting the continued growth of advanced driver assistance technologies under clearly defined safety expectations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is China's new Safety Requirements standard for Combined Driver Assistance Systems?
The Safety Requirements for Combined Driver Assistance Systems of Intelligent and Connected Vehicles (GB 47955—2026) is China's new mandatory national standard governing the safety of driver assistance systems in passenger vehicles. Effective from January 1, 2027, it establishes requirements for different CDAS categories, system functionality, human-machine interaction, manufacturer safety assurance, data recording, and comprehensive evaluation through proving ground testing, road testing, and document inspections to ensure safer deployment of intelligent vehicle technologies.