KATHMANDU: China has made electric vehicle battery safety standards mandatory for the first time. The new rule requires EV batteries to meet strict “no fire, no explosion” safety criteria under newly finalized national regulations.
The update was announced by the State Administration for Market Regulation on December 26 and reported by CCTV.
The standards were introduced under a joint action plan by seven government departments. All have now been approved, published, and scheduled for implementation.
A major highlight is the revised EV power battery safety rule. It mandates that batteries must not catch fire or explode. This is the first time such safety criteria have been enforced at the national level.
The standards are part of the Action Plan to Promote Equipment Renewal and Consumer Goods Trade-In Through Standards. The plan focuses on improving energy efficiency, strengthening product safety, and expanding recycling standards.
Several standards target consumer-related sectors, including automobiles and home appliances. The EV battery safety rule falls under this group. According to GDESTL, the revised standard GB 38031-2025 will take effect on July 1, 2026.
New vehicle approvals must comply from that date. Existing models will follow a transition period, likely until July 1, 2027.
China has also approved multiple standards related to recycling and circular use. These include rules for recycling electronics, renewable energy equipment, and power batteries.
