Quick Takeaways
- China AEB mandate turns Automatic Emergency Braking into standard safety equipment across light vehicles.
- The regulation signals a decisive shift in China’s vehicle safety framework ahead of 2028.
On December 31, 2025, China approved its first mandatory national requirement for advanced emergency braking, marking a major step in vehicle safety regulation. Under the China AEB mandate, Automatic Emergency Braking will no longer be optional in light-duty vehicles, reinforcing the country’s push toward safer roads.
The regulation, titled Technical requirements and testing methods for advanced emergency braking system of light-duty vehicles (GB 39901—2025), comes into force on January 1, 2028. It replaces a recommended 2021 guideline with binding compliance, according to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
What the China AEB Mandate Requires
The updated standard requires AEB systems to be fitted as standard equipment in all qualifying light vehicles. These systems continuously monitor the forward driving environment in real time, warn drivers of imminent collision risks, and automatically apply braking to reduce impact severity or avoid crashes altogether.
Key technical requirements include:
Alignment With Market Adoption Trends
China’s rapid electrification and digitization of vehicles have already accelerated the adoption of driver assistance systems. In 2025, 64% of newly sold passenger vehicles in China were equipped with combined driver assistance features, including AEB, based on data released by MIIT earlier this month.
This high penetration rate indicates that the China AEB mandate largely formalizes an industry trend rather than forcing abrupt technological change. Automakers have increasingly treated Automatic Emergency Braking as a baseline safety feature rather than a premium add-on.
Driver Responsibility and System Limitations
MIIT has cautioned that AEB systems come with inherent technical limits and should function strictly as emergency assistance. They are not designed to replace driver attention or responsibility. Proper use and a clear understanding of system boundaries remain critical for ensuring real-world safety benefits.
Ongoing Enhancements in AEB Capabilities
Several manufacturers continue to improve AEB performance through software and sensor optimization. Nio Inc introduced AI-optimized AEB functionality via a software update in July 2024, reflecting a broader industry move toward smarter driver assistance systems. Other automakers have also expanded AEB activation thresholds, with some systems now operating at speeds up to 150 km/h.
As the China AEB mandate approaches enforcement in 2028, the standard is expected to accelerate uniform safety benchmarks, reduce collision severity, and further integrate advanced driver assistance technologies into mainstream passenger vehicles.
The regulation, titled Technical requirements and testing methods for advanced emergency braking system of light-duty vehicles (GB 39901—2025), comes into force on January 1, 2028. It replaces a recommended 2021 guideline with binding compliance, according to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
What the China AEB Mandate Requires
The updated standard requires AEB systems to be fitted as standard equipment in all qualifying light vehicles. These systems continuously monitor the forward driving environment in real time, warn drivers of imminent collision risks, and automatically apply braking to reduce impact severity or avoid crashes altogether.
Key technical requirements include:
- Mandatory AEB installation in passenger vehicles
- Coverage across sedans, SUVs, and MPVs
- Automatic activation within a speed range of 10–80 km/h
- Defined testing and performance validation methods
Alignment With Market Adoption Trends
China’s rapid electrification and digitization of vehicles have already accelerated the adoption of driver assistance systems. In 2025, 64% of newly sold passenger vehicles in China were equipped with combined driver assistance features, including AEB, based on data released by MIIT earlier this month.
This high penetration rate indicates that the China AEB mandate largely formalizes an industry trend rather than forcing abrupt technological change. Automakers have increasingly treated Automatic Emergency Braking as a baseline safety feature rather than a premium add-on.
Driver Responsibility and System Limitations
MIIT has cautioned that AEB systems come with inherent technical limits and should function strictly as emergency assistance. They are not designed to replace driver attention or responsibility. Proper use and a clear understanding of system boundaries remain critical for ensuring real-world safety benefits.
Ongoing Enhancements in AEB Capabilities
Several manufacturers continue to improve AEB performance through software and sensor optimization. Nio Inc introduced AI-optimized AEB functionality via a software update in July 2024, reflecting a broader industry move toward smarter driver assistance systems. Other automakers have also expanded AEB activation thresholds, with some systems now operating at speeds up to 150 km/h.
As the China AEB mandate approaches enforcement in 2028, the standard is expected to accelerate uniform safety benchmarks, reduce collision severity, and further integrate advanced driver assistance technologies into mainstream passenger vehicles.
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