Background and Strategic Importance
Steering systems are a critical component of vehicle safety and drivability. With the rapid advancement of electrification, intelligent driving, and automated vehicle technologies, the role of steering has expanded beyond basic directional control to include integration with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving functions.
The release of this standard reflects China’s dual priorities: ensuring high levels of road safety while facilitating innovation in the automotive industry. It also supports the nation’s broader industrial strategy of promoting intelligent and green development while boosting international competitiveness.
According to the drafting instructions, the new standard was formulated through extensive consultation with leading automakers, parts suppliers, and research institutions, alongside benchmarking against European, American, Japanese, and international standards such as ISO and UNECE regulations.
Structure and Core Content
The newly issued standard follows the established structure of Chinese automotive standards and includes several key sections:
Definitions and Terminology: Provides clear and unified definitions of essential concepts such as mechanical steering, electric power steering (EPS), steer-by-wire, steering torque, and response time.
Classification: Establishes categories based on power sources, control methods, and application scenarios, covering both traditional and emerging systems.
Performance Requirements: Outlines mandatory technical specifications for steering force, vehicle stability, response accuracy, and durability. These requirements strike a balance between safety, comfort, and energy efficiency.
Test Methods: Specifies laboratory and road testing procedures, including performance validation, environmental adaptability tests, and endurance evaluations. The methodology ensures comparability across manufacturers and test facilities.
Inspection Rules: Defines procedures for type approval, batch inspection, and conformity assessments, offering clear guidelines for regulators and manufacturers alike.
Documentation and Marking: Requires supporting technical documentation, traceability information, and product marking to ensure transparency and accountability.
In addition, annexes provide references to international standards and supplementary guidance for future revisions.
Key Innovations
Several innovations distinguish this standard from previous national requirements:
Integration of Emerging Technologies: For the first time, steer-by-wire and intelligent steering functions are explicitly covered, creating a regulatory basis for automated driving applications.
Risk-Based Approach: Introduces risk-oriented safety evaluations, emphasizing redundancy and fault tolerance in high-risk scenarios.
Green and Sustainable Design: Incorporates requirements for energy efficiency, material use, and environmental adaptability, aligning with China’s carbon neutrality goals.
Global Compatibility: Harmonizes with key elements of ISO and UNECE frameworks, facilitating international trade and global market access for Chinese manufacturers.
Expected Impact
The new steering standard is expected to deliver wide-ranging benefits:
Improved Safety and Reliability: Stricter performance benchmarks will reduce risks of steering failures, enhancing consumer safety.
Industrial Upgrading: By setting higher entry thresholds, the standard encourages companies to invest in R&D and adopt advanced steering technologies.
International Cooperation: Compatibility with international norms supports China’s ambition to increase its voice in global automotive standardization and facilitates overseas expansion of domestic products.
Consumer Confidence: Clearer compliance requirements and standardized labeling will improve transparency and strengthen public trust in vehicle safety.
Outlook
The drafting instructions emphasize that steering technology is undergoing revolutionary transformation, driven by automation and digitalization. Steer-by-wire, vehicle-to-infrastructure integration, and AI-driven control systems will shape the next generation of steering solutions.
To remain relevant, the standard will be subject to continuous updates, incorporating feedback from industry practice and international cooperation. Authorities also plan to complement the standard with enhanced testing infrastructure, certification systems, and cross-border collaboration to ensure its effective implementation.
Industry experts note that the release of this standard marks not only a regulatory achievement but also a statement of China’s ambition to shape global norms in automotive safety and intelligent mobility. By combining rigorous safety requirements with openness to innovation, the new framework seeks to ensure that Chinese vehicles are both safe for domestic roads and competitive on international markets.
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