On November 30, 2023, the Standardization Administration of China (SAC) issued a notice, advancing the implementation date of the main clauses of the mandatory national standard "GB 42590-2023Safety Requirements for Civil Unmanned Aerial System" from June 1, 2024, to January 1, 2024.

The sections subject to early implementation include: 1. Scope, 2. Normative references, 3. Terms, definitions, and abbreviations, 4.1 Electronic Fence, 4.3 Emergency Handling, 4.4 Structural Strength, 4.5 Airframe Structure, 4.6 Whole System Drop, 4.7 Power System, 4.9 Fault Tolerance, 4.10 Perception and Avoidance, 4.12 Electromagnetic Compatibility, 4.13 Wind Resistance, 4.14 Noise, 4.15 Lighting, 4.16 Identification, 4.17 User Manual, 5.1 Electronic Fence, 5.3 Emergency Handling, 5.4 Structural Strength, 5.5 Airframe Structure, 5.6 Whole System Drop, 5.7 Power System, 5.9 Fault Tolerance Safety Test, 5.10 Perception and Avoidance, 5.12 Electromagnetic Compatibility, 5.13 Wind Resistance, 5.14 Noise Test, 5.15 Lighting, 5.16 Identification, 5.17 User Manual, and 6 Implementation of Standards.

Other sections, including 4.2 Remote Identification, 4.8 Controllability, 4.11 Data Link Protection, 5.2 Remote Identification, 5.8 Controllability, 5.11 Data Link Protection, and Appendix A (Normative) Remote Identification, will still be implemented from June 1, 2024.

GB 42590-2023 stipulates safety requirements for civil unmanned aerial system products and describes corresponding test methods. It is applicable to the development, production, delivery, and use of micro, light, and small unmanned aerial systems, excluding model aircraft. GB 42590-2023 serves to support the “provisional regulations on flight management of unmanned aerial system” issued in May 2023.