China has proposed new vehicle safety regulations that would ban fully concealed door handles and folding screens, while requiring physical controls for key functions.

Published for consultation on 10 October 2026, the draft rules aim to strengthen safety validation and could take effect for new model approvals from 1 January 2027.

Led by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the proposal targets vehicle features introduced without sufficient testing.

Automakers would be required to declare up to 51 technical parameters, covering designs such as steering wheels and swivelling seats.

The draft would also restrict the use of zero-gravity seats, rotating seats, bed modes and pop-up cabins while driving.

Voice and gesture commands for headlights, doors and bonnets would be prohibited, while lights, wipers and demisting systems would require physical switches alongside touchscreen controls.

Testing requirements would become more demanding, including at least 30,000 kilometres of reliability testing and a year-long climate programme spanning two winters and a summer.

Existing approved models featuring novel designs would have until 1 July 2027 to submit the required data.

Non-compliance could trigger production suspensions or recalls where safety risks exist, while misleading marketing could result in fines or the suspension or revocation of approvals.

The proposals signal a shift towards stricter oversight of vehicle design, prioritising validated safety and physical accessibility over novelty.