Abstract:
Four departments including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology recently jointly issued the "Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Innovative Design and R&D Testing and Verification of Automotive Products (Draft for Comments)", which clearly prohibits the installation of fully hidden door handles. After the new regulations are implemented, whether existing car owners need to replace parts has become the focus of attention.
According to a CCTV News report today, Zhang Hong, a member of the Expert Committee of the China Automobile Dealers Association, pointed out that the introduction of the new regulations will help return some of the showy designs of new energy vehicles to their essence as safety tools.
In response to the rectification issues that car owners are most concerned about, Zhang Hong said,
Rectification does not necessarily require replacing the entire door handle, especially the emergency opening mechanism that increases the external mechanical operating space; batches whose hardware cannot be modified may have to be discontinued and a recall plan evaluated.
The draft for comments has given a clear timetable. Starting from January 1, 2027, new applied products involving innovative designs should add innovative design technical parameters. If they are not tested and verified as required, the verification is insufficient, or false materials are provided, they will not be announced;
For products that have obtained the announcement, relevant technical parameters and verification materials should be submitted before July 1, 2027.
If it is overdue and there are safety hazards, production should be stopped and a recall implemented.
Zhang Hong also interpreted the rectification direction of other popular configurations. The regulatory red line for zero-gravity seats is not to cancel this configuration.
It is that the zero-gravity mode cannot be turned on while driving, and locking and accidental touch prevention control modules need to be added.
At the supply chain level, door handles, door modules, seat frames, motor controllers and even vehicle software may be affected to varying degrees.
In his view, car companies with smooth compliance and stable delivery will be more likely to accept consumers who hold money to buy. The advantages of leading companies will expand, while small and medium-sized car companies and some new forces will bear greater pressure at the levels of research and development, supply chain, verification and marketing.
"The new regulations are not 'one size fits all', but a compliance screening based on safety evidence. As long as the evidence is complete and there are no safety risks, it can be retained."
What needs to be distinguished is that the mandatory national standard "Safety Technical Requirements for Automobile Door Handles" (GB 48001-2026) released on January 28 this year has clarified that fully hidden door handles will be banned in new cars from January 1, 2027. Semi-hidden door handles are not prohibited under the premise of ensuring mechanical redundancy.
This draft for comments from the four departments expands innovative design management from door handles to the entire product access and testing verification system.
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