MIIT officially released "Intelligent Connected Vehicles — Automated Driving System Safety Requirements" (GB44721-2026), applicable to L3 and L4 AD systems for M and N category vehicles, effective July 1, 2027. The standard requires AD system safety level to at least match that of a qualified and attentive human driver.
Standard Core: First Mandatory Safety Requirements for L3/L4
In August 2026, MIIT released GB44721-2026, China's first mandatory national standard for L3/L4 automated driving systems.
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Standard No. | GB44721-2026 |
| Effective date | July 1, 2027 |
| Scope | L3/L4 AD systems for M and N vehicles |
| Exclusion | Automatic parking systems |
| Safety benchmark | At least equivalent to a qualified attentive driver |
Four-Dimensional Safety Framework
- Enterprise lifecycle safety assurance: Safety policy, risk management, safety assurance, safety improvement
- Dynamic driving task execution: System must match human driver capability
- Human-machine interaction: Status indication, takeover monitoring, user notification
- Multi-dimensional testing: Enterprise capability + safety archive + confirmatory testing
Industry Impact
12 models have obtained L3 AD access qualifications. Pilot programs launched in Chengdu, Shenzhen, Tianjin. More at EX1000.COM.
