On February 4, 2026, State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), together with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS), and the Ministry of Transport (MOT), held a joint press conference to review achievements of recent road transport standardization efforts, following the release and implementation of a batch of key national standards.
SAMR outlined the comprehensive progress in building a robust standards system for road transport. With vehicle ownership reaching 366 million in 2025, standardization efforts are being intensified to ensure traffic safety and public convenience. Key advancements include strengthened coordination through top-level planning documents such as the Work Plan for Stabilizing the Growth of the Automobile Industry (2025-2026), along with roadmaps for mandatory automotive and electric vehicle standards. Horizontal liaison mechanisms have also been established across the automotive, road transport, traffic management, and intelligent transportation sectors. the standards system has been substantially enhanced. The year 2025 has seen the release of 108 vehicle standards (e.g., EV safety), 33 infrastructure standards (e.g., traffic signs), and 12 management standards (e.g., digital driving licenses) in 2025, totaling 970 national standards.
The MIIT focused on vehicle safety, establishing standards systems for Intelligent Connected Vehicles (ICV), New Energy Vehicle (NEV), and automotive chips, with 88 mandatory safety-related national standards issued. Key efforts include enhancing NEV safety by upgrading battery thermal diffusion requirements from “five-minute alarm” to “no fire or explosion.” ICV standards like automatic emergency braking systems are published. Revisions to standards for braking systems and door handles have been released, while work advances on safety standards for driver assistance, automated driving, and parking assist systems.
The MPS advanced management and public convenience by issuing GB/T 47004-2025 Electronic certificates for traffic management—Driving license (ready to take effect on July 1, 2026), providing legal support for 360 million users. It also developed four national standards, including those for information interaction between ICVs and traffic control facilities, and the digital identity of ICVs, unifying digital signal interfaces so vehicles can interpret road signs. The MOT has driven infrastructure safety and green development by revising standards for road signs and guardrails, and introducing new ones for solid waste utilization and carbon accounting. Moving forward, it will focus on integration, safety enhancement, digital upgrading, and green transformation to accelerate the provision of high-quality standards for a modern transport system.
Looking to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), SAMR will focus on three priorities: First, accelerating standard-setting efficiency by creating fast-track channels for urgently needed standards and expediting revisions to key regulations such as technical specifications for motor vehicle safety. Second, enhancing standard quality and supply by focusing on critical areas like ICVs and traffic safety management, using high-quality standards to drive technological innovation. Third, strengthening mandatory regulations by adhering to the principle of “making standards as robust as possible,” with priority given to introducing compulsory national standards for features like advanced driver-assistance systems, thereby establishing clear rules for vehicles and reinforcing safety foundations.
Source: https://www.sac.gov.cn/xw/bzhyw/art/2026/art_9a55cf4a2ae74b01ba8b7350efb3351f.html
