China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), in collaboration with the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), introduced new guidelines to enhance control over intelligent connected vehicles (ICVs), focusing specifically on over-the-air (OTA) software updates and autonomous driving technologies.
Key Highlights of the New Regulations
1. Stricter Regulation of Vehicle Recalls and Market Access
Automakers must now validate all OTA software updates, particularly those affecting vehicle safety or performance. Any software patch that addresses a defect will be classified as a product recall. Manufacturers will be required to suspend production and sales of affected vehicles until the issue is fully resolved.
2. Pre-Approval for Critical OTA Changes
Software updates that impact major technical functions, such as driver-assistance systems or autonomous driving features, must receive regulatory approval before they can be deployed. Minor updates can still be filed without prior approval. This aims to prevent defects from being hidden under the guise of software upgrades.
3. Mandatory Reporting of System Issues
Manufacturers must now report any system malfunctions, failures, or accidents related to driver-assistance technologies to MIIT and SAMR. This will enable regulators to quickly address potential safety concerns.
4. June 1, 2025 Deadline for Technical Submissions
All manufacturers must submit updated technical documentation for existing ICV models, especially those with autonomous or OTA capabilities, by June 1, 2025.
5. Promotion of Standards and Certification
The guidelines encourage manufacturers to seek voluntary certifications in areas like data security and software reliability. These certifications will align with national standards, which will be gradually integrated into China’s vehicle approval processes.
Implications for the Automotive Industry
This regulatory overhaul will significantly impact automakers, particularly those relying on OTA updates and autonomous driving technologies, such as Tesla, Xpeng, and Xiaomi. The new regulations demand higher compliance standards, enhancing safety and transparency in vehicle software management.
As China continues to lead in electric and autonomous vehicle adoption, these regulatory changes are likely to influence global standards, promoting safety, reliability, and consumer protection in smart vehicle development.
For more details, refer to the MIIT release.
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