China Leads Development of UN Global Regulation on Automated Driving

[Policy Breakthrough] The world's first United Nations technical regulation on automated driving systems has been officially released.

Core Development: China Takes the Lead in Advancing the ADS GTR

At the 199th session of the United Nations World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (UN/WP.29) held in Geneva from June 22–26, 2026, the Global Technical Regulation on Automated Driving Systems (ADS GTR) was adopted. This landmark regulation was jointly spearheaded by China, the European Union, the United States, Japan, and two other parties, and formally approved by consensus among all contracting parties.

Key Data: Establishing a Full-Lifecycle Regulatory Framework

For the first time, the regulation clearly defines core technical specifications for automated driving systems, manufacturer responsibilities, and methods for review and evaluation, covering the entire product lifecycle. Currently, the penetration rate of combined driver-assistance systems in new vehicles in China exceeds 60%, and conditional approval for the first batch of Level 3 (L3) vehicles to operate on public roads is scheduled for December 2025.

Strategic Foundation: Securing Leadership in Intelligent and Connected Vehicle Standards

Since 2019, China has continuously served as Vice-Chair of WP.29/GRVA and Co-Chair of the ADS Informal Working Group (IWG). The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has organized key institutions—including the China Automotive Technology & Research Center (CATARC) and China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT)—to deeply engage in the process, leading the drafting of core provisions and solidifying China’s pivotal role in shaping global regulatory standards.