UN adopts worldwide safety standards for fully autonomous cars

In Geneva, the UN Economic Commission for Europe’s World Forum for Harmonisation of Vehicle Regulations (UNECE) adopted the first global regulatory framework for fully autonomous driving systems (ADS). The new rules, which do not cover driver‑assist features, set uniform safety requirements, mandate rigorous testing, continuous monitoring, and the recording of safety‑relevant data throughout a vehicle’s lifecycle.

The framework was backed by all major auto markets, including the United States, China, the European Union, Japan and the United Kingdom, and is slated to enter into force in January 2027.

Richard Damm, chair of UNECE’s Working Party on Automated and Connected Vehicles, said the “global regulatory landscape has reached a decisive milestone.” The regulations aim to strengthen trust among governments, industry and the public and to enable robotaxi fleets—already numbering about 8,000 in the US and China in 2025—to expand worldwide, with the International Energy Agency forecasting up to three million such vehicles by 2035.

China’s participation was highlighted as a leading force in drafting the rules, reflecting its growing role in the global auto‑technology arena.