Official Interpretation Released for Mandatory EV Safety Standard GB 18384—2025

On January 7, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued an official interpretation outlining the key provisions of GB 18384—2025, Electric Vehicles Safety Requirements, a national mandatory standard scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

GB 18384—2025 is a revision of the currently enforced 2020 edition. The standard was developed under the organization and administration of SAC/TC114/SC27 (Electric Vehicles). It aims to align and harmonize with international standards such as UN R100, UNECE R20, and ISO 6469-3, while serving as a framework to guide the development of the EV industry.

Key Technical Revisions in GB 18384—2025

The updated standard introduces several significant technical changes, including:

• Addition of new requirements and test methods for full-vehicle bottom impact.

• Revisions to the power connection and disconnection procedures of the drive system.

• Clarification of requirements for maintenance disconnection devices.

• Inclusion of application scenarios for insulation resistance monitoring.

• Introduction of new requirements and test methods for steady-state contact current.

• Addition of requirements concerning user manuals.

• Increase of the vehicle water wading test depth from 100 mm to 150 mm.

• Updates to specific criteria for determining equivalency of vehicle types under type approval requirements.

Implementation Timeline

According to the official interpretation:

• For new vehicle models applying for type approval, compliance will be required starting July 1, 2026.

• For models that have already obtained type approval, implementation will begin on July 1, 2027, allowing for a one-year transition period.

Regulatory Significance

GB 18384—2025 holds particular regulatory importance as it is referenced in the Notice on Implementing National Mandatory Standards for Electric Vehicles, issued by the Equipment Industrial Development Center of MIIT in May 2020. As such, it constitutes a mandatory market access requirement for electric vehicles in China.

Its implementation is expected to:

• Safeguard consumer safety and property.

• Reinforce fundamental safety requirements.

• Improve and optimize the EV standards system.

• Adapt to ongoing technological advancements.

• Support high-quality and sustainable industry development.

• Strengthen regulatory coordination.

• Promote the global application of advanced technologies.

Implications for Foreign Stakeholders

For overseas manufacturers and other foreign stakeholders, the revision of this mandatory standard will have direct compliance implications. It is strongly recommended that relevant parties carefully review the updated technical requirements under GB 18384—2025 and take appropriate measures to ensure conformity.

It is also noteworthy that when first issued in 2001, GB 18384 was structured as a three-part series identical to the ISO/DIS 6469 series (2000 edition). However, since the second major revision in 2020, the standard has shifted from direct adoption to referencing ISO 6469, meaning the technical requirements are no longer identical or closely aligned with ISO standards. This divergence necessitates more thorough and independent compliance assessments by foreign stakeholders.