China has issued its first mandatory national standard requiring automatic emergency braking systems to be installed as standard equipment on all light-duty vehicles, marking a significant tightening of vehicle safety regulations as advanced driver assistance technologies become more widespread.
The standard, titled Technical Requirements and Testing Methods for Advanced Emergency Braking System of Light-Duty Vehicles (GB 39901—2025), will take effect on Jan. 1, 2028, according to an announcement released on Wednesday by Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
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The new rule upgrades a previously recommended 2021 standard to a compulsory one and was formally approved for release on Dec. 31, 2025. Under the revised framework, automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems will no longer be optional features but mandatory safety equipment for light-duty vehicles sold in China.
AEB systems are designed to continuously monitor the vehicle’s forward environment, issue collision warnings and automatically apply braking when a high risk of impact is detected, either preventing crashes or reducing their severity.
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The standard applies to passenger vehicles including sedans, sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), and requires AEB systems to be capable of automatic activation at speeds between 10 kilometres per hour and 80 kilometres per hour, the ministry said.
China’s rapid shift toward electrification and smart vehicles has already driven broader adoption of driver assistance technologies. Data released earlier this month by the MIIT showed that 64% of new passenger vehicles sold in China in 2025 were equipped with combined driver assistance functions, including AEB.
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Despite the mandate, the ministry cautioned that AEB systems have inherent technical limitations and are intended only as emergency assistance features. “They should not be regarded as substitutes for drivers in ensuring driving safety,” the MIIT said, stressing that proper use and an accurate understanding of system limits remain essential.