New National Standard GB 21670—2025 for Passenger Car Brake Systems Released

Recently, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released an overview of the mandatory national standard GB 21670—2025, which outlines the technical requirements and testing methods for passenger car brake systems. This standard, approved by the State Administration for Market Regulation and the National Standardization Administration, will be officially implemented on January 1, 2026. The release of this new standard is timely, reflecting the rapid evolution of automotive technology. The interpretation indicates that the structure and functionality of passenger car brake systems are undergoing significant changes. The previous standard, GB 21670-2008, served as a foundational guideline in the automotive braking field, and revisions are necessary to adapt to new trends in braking technology. The new standard introduces several requirements, including electric transmission braking systems (ETBS), regenerative braking requirements, emergency braking signal specifications, backup wheel braking and deviation requirements, and mandatory installation of Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS). It also revises requirements for parking brake release, brake pad wear inspection, electronic parking brake electrical failure, electronic driving brake systems, and brake light standards. Notably, the new standard mandates that all newly applied type approvals for passenger cars must include ABS, and it prohibits vehicles from relying solely on releasing the accelerator pedal to decelerate to a complete stop, effectively banning the default 'single-pedal mode' setting. Additionally, the new standard stipulates that when deceleration exceeds 1.3 m/s², the vehicle must automatically activate the brake lights. The implementation timeline follows a phased approach: new vehicle type approvals will take effect on January 1, 2026, except for certain categories, which will be implemented by January 1, 2027. Existing vehicle types with approved models will also have until January 1, 2027. Data shows that in 2018, approximately 90% of cars on the market were equipped with ABS, and by 2024, this figure is expected to rise to 92%. However, 8% of entry-level models (primarily those priced below 80,000 yuan) still lack this system. The core objective of the new standard is to enhance vehicle safety levels, as highlighted by the Ministry's interpretation, which emphasizes strengthening safety requirements for automotive brake systems, adapting to technological advancements, and supporting the development and application of new braking technologies.