Mandatory national standard GB 44721—2026 has been officially released, scheduled for implementation on July 1, 2027. The standard includes a dedicated 17-page safety archive appendix and requires automakers to establish an SMS safety assurance system covering the full lifecycle. It is China's first mandatory national standard targeting L3/L4 autonomous driving.
Policy Background: The Leap from Recommended to Mandatory
On August 4, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) officially released the mandatory national standard "Safety Requirements for Intelligent Connected Vehicle Automated Driving Systems" (GB 44721—2026), scheduled for implementation on July 1, 2027. This is China's first mandatory national standard targeting Level 3 (conditional automation) and Level 4 (high automation) systems, marking the shift of China's high-level intelligent driving from concept marketing to rigid safety regulation.
The standard did not emerge out of thin air. Its evolution path is clear:
- 2024: GB/T 44721—2024 was released as China's first comprehensive technical specification for high-level autonomous driving, but as a recommended standard without mandatory force
- 2025: MIIT organized the National Technical Committee on Motor Vehicle Standardization to initiate the L3/L4 mandatory standard drafting process. In the same year, two L3-level models (Changan SL03 and Arcfox Alpha S) received conditional market approval
- February 2026: The draft for comments was formed and publicly circulated for feedback
- August 2026: GB 44721—2026 was officially released, upgraded to mandatory regulation
Compared with the previous recommended standard, the new mandatory version adds several core chapters: assurance requirement verification, safety archive verification, standard implementation, additional technical requirements for L3 ADS functions on highways, and additional technical requirements for L4 ADS functions.
Core Policy Points Explained
The most notable innovation of this mandatory standard is the establishment of a mandatory safety archive admission mechanism.
17-Page Safety Archive Appendix: The "Safety Physical" Before Launch
The standard includes a dedicated 17-page appendix specifying safety archive writing requirements. Before new models go on sale, automakers must submit complete structured safety materials to regulators, including:
- Functional description: ADS configuration and operating characteristics, activation and deactivation conditions
- System layout and principles: Overview of ADS hardware components and functions, software components overview, and relationship between ADS and other vehicle systems
- Risk identification and response: Identified risks related to ADS, with explanations of how risks are reduced, mitigated, or accepted
- Hazard analysis and risk assessment summary
- Verification criteria and confirmation objectives
This safety archive system means automakers can no longer treat consumers as test subjects. Every L3/L4 model must pass strict regulatory "safety physicals" before market launch.
SMS Full-Process Safety Assurance System
In addition to safety archives, the new regulation mandatorily requires automakers to establish an SMS (Safety Management System) full-process safety assurance system covering:
- Safety design management during the R&D phase
- Quality consistency control during production
- Safety verification for OTA remote upgrades
- After-sales incident handling mechanisms
- Supply chain risk management
Regulators may periodically audit the implementation of corporate safety management systems. This system requires vehicle manufacturers to establish full-lifecycle protection mechanisms across seven dimensions: safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, safety improvement, design and development management, production management, and post-deployment safety management.
Key Differences Between L3/L4 and L2 Mandatory Standards
The L2-level assisted driving mandatory standard released in June 2026 and this L3/L4 mandatory standard differ fundamentally in regulatory logic:
| Dimension | L2 Mandatory (GB/T) | L3/L4 Mandatory (GB 44721—2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Mandatory | Mandatory |
| Applicable Level | L2 assisted driving | L3/L4 autonomous driving |
| Responsibility | Driver always responsible | System assumes driving responsibility within ODD |
| Safety Archive | None | 17-page mandatory safety archive |
| SMS System | Recommended | Mandatory full-process coverage |
| Human-Machine Interaction | Reminder requirements | Explicit takeover monitoring mechanism |
| Implementation Date | Already in effect | July 1, 2027 |
Ji Xuehong, Director of the Automotive Industry Innovation Research Center at North China University of Technology, noted that in the past automakers vaguely claimed their vehicles could perform urban assisted driving, but safety responsibility remained with the driver—an unclear description. The L3 standard more clearly defines scenarios and responsibility boundaries. ODD (Operational Design Domain) specifies on which road sections and under what weather conditions the vehicle system can confidently perform driving operations.
Industry Impact and Outlook
Multiple interviewed experts and industry insiders stated that the release of the L3/L4 mandatory standard is a milestone for the intelligent driving industry:
- Cui Dongshu, Secretary-General of CPCA: The mandatory standard establishes full-lifecycle safety management and safety archive systems, curbing the malpractice of treating consumers as test subjects and protecting user safety
- Gu Jianmin, CTO of Valeo China: The standard establishes a unified mandatory safety admission baseline for L3/L4, which will force enterprises to improve technical capabilities and drive industry survival of the fittest
- Gu Gongyao, VP of Momenta: The standard clarifies a unified safety admission baseline for autonomous driving products and regulates market order, which will continuously promote the healthy development of the industry
From a global perspective, China has a strong foundation in the intelligent driving industry chain, and this standard will help China take the lead in autonomous driving regulations worldwide, enhancing industrial international competitiveness. For automotive buyers and industry practitioners in Central Asia, Russia, and other markets, the landing of China's L3/L4 mandatory standard means that future high-level intelligent driving vehicles exported from China will have more reliable safety assurance systems. For more policy analysis and technical insights, follow EX1000.COM.
