(Yicai) Aug. 14 -- China has issued a draft version of regulations for the management of intelligent connected new energy vehicles and opened it to public comment.

The new rules aim to strengthen the control of defect investigations and recalls of intelligent connected NEVs and outline regulatory requirements for over-the-air software updates, according to the draft released by the State Administration for Market Regulation yesterday.

Companies cannot roll out OTA upgrades without prior filing, push software versions to users without thorough testing and validation, and use such updates to conceal product defects. In addition, they must ensure that the vehicle's equipped driver assistance systems are consistent with the approved upgrade and must bear safety responsibility.

The move is to prevent companies from using irregular OTA updates to push underdeveloped DAS to customers, providing better protection for drivers' safety, Cui Dongshu, secretary-general of the China Passenger Car Association, told Yicai.

Companies must also proactively issue consumer safety warnings to reduce the risk of vehicle accidents caused by cyberattacks, cyber threats, and software vulnerabilities. Regulators will conduct defect investigations into related safety incidents and urge companies to recall products and make improvements if necessary.

In addition, the new draft rules strengthen the supervision and management of production consistency, enhance oversight of commercial promotional activities such as advertising, and emphasize implementing an in-depth investigation system for incidents or accidents.

The new draft regulations raise the safety requirements for autos, which should pressure the industry to speed up tech upgrades, invest more resources to ensure the safety of smart cars, and curb some firms' practices of deceiving consumers with immature features and technologies, Cui pointed out, adding that this will help promote the complying development of Level 3 and above autonomous driving tech.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev