China Releases Mandatory L3/L4 Autonomous Driving Safety Standard
China has officially released its first mandatory national safety standard for L3/L4 autonomous driving systems (GB 44721—2026), scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2027. BYD Executive VP He Zhiqi welcomed the standard, noting that it clearly defines the boundaries of system responsibility. This standard provides a unified safety baseline for the autonomous driving industry, protecting consumers from misleading marketing and shielding developers who prioritize safety. It addresses a long-standing regulatory gap regarding liability during transitions between human and automated control. Under the new rules, autonomous systems must inform users in real-time who is currently driving and when a takeover is required. Furthermore, these responsibility boundaries must be explicitly stated on official websites and within the vehicle's infotainment system.
## BACKGROUND
Autonomous driving levels range from L0 (no automation) to L5 (full automation). L3 represents conditional automation where the driver must be ready to take control when requested, whereas L4 allows the vehicle to operate independently under specific conditions. Defining the exact transition of control and liability between L2 (driver assistance) and L3/L4 has been a major challenge for regulators worldwide.