Mandatory National Standard for L2 ADAS Issued; New Vehicles Must Comply from 2027

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has released the mandatory national standard "Safety Requirements for Combined Driving Assistance Systems in Intelligent Connected Vehicles" (GB 47955–2026), which will take effect on January 1, 2027. This is China’s first mandatory standard specifically targeting Level 2 (L2) driving assistance systems. It categorizes combined driving assistance systems into three types: basic single-lane, basic multi-lane, and navigation-guided driving assistance, clearly defining the functional boundaries and capability thresholds for each system. The standard emphasizes the “driver assistance” nature of these systems, clarifying the distinction between driver assistance and autonomous driving in terms of responsibilities and liabilities. It also imposes mandatory requirements for monitoring driver status: systems must continuously monitor whether the driver’s hands are on the steering wheel and whether their gaze is directed toward the road ahead, using methods such as cabin-facing cameras and steering wheel torque sensors. Furthermore, the standard strengthens vehicle safety performance requirements, establishes a multi-tiered testing framework, and mandates that automakers provide consumers with clear instructions for using driver assistance features and conduct targeted driver training programs. Starting January 1, 2027, all newly manufactured vehicles must comply with this standard to be eligible for sale. Vehicles produced prior to this date must complete full-model compliance upgrades by January 1, 2028.