China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has proposed tougher approval checks for vehicles with innovative designs, covering door handles, displays, seats and in-car controls. The draft, prepared with three other government agencies, is open for public comment through November 10, 2026. It would prohibit foldable and flexible displays and require measures to prevent functions such as zero-gravity seats, swivel seats and seat-to-bed modes from being used while a vehicle is moving.
The proposal reiterates an existing requirement for mechanical interior and exterior door handles. A national standard issued on February 2 takes effect on January 1, 2027; already-approved models have until January 2029 to complete design changes. The draft would also require soft-close doors to have anti-pinch protection and a way to open them manually during a power failure. Physical controls would be required for key driving functions such as lights, wipers and defrosting, even when virtual controls are also available.
For new models with innovative features, applications from January 1, 2027 would need additional technical and safety documentation. Passenger cars would undergo at least 30,000 kilometers of reliability testing and a minimum of one year of environmental testing. Existing listed models would need to submit supplementary materials by July 1, 2027. The draft also calls for real-vehicle testing of driver-assistance and smart-cockpit systems, validation of software updates, and direct inspections of key components. It follows China’s broader push to strengthen vehicle quality oversight and connected-car safety.