When we talk about the pace of development of a vehicle from concept to production, China has been beating established manufacturers from Japan, Europe, and America. And when it comes to advanced vehicle features, it is also China that has been leading the way lately.

But now, it looks like China is slowing things down a bit. PRC’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) has published a draft notice, proposing stricter rules on how cars are designed and tested before they go on sale.

Starting January 1, 2027, automakers applying for approval of new models must provide more comprehensive technical information and validation data for innovative features. Models with insufficient testing or falsified data will not be approved. Vehicles that have already received approval must submit the relevant technical parameters and validation materials before July 1, 2027.

Along with the ban on hidden door handles which was announced earlier in the year, China MIIT has added foldable or flexible screens in the list of banned interior features. Seats designed to recline into a “zero-gravity” position or swivel would also have their functions disabled while the vehicle is moving.

Meanwhile, China MIIT is also pushing for essential functions such as lighting and windshield wipers to retain physical controls instead of relying entirely on digital interfaces.

The draft also calls for more extensive research and development testing, covering reliability and durability, software functionality, structural integrity, environmental adaptability, heating and cooling performance, and vehicle sealing and protection. According to the draft, automakers must analyze potential failures under complex operating conditions and extreme scenarios, identify safety risks, and ensure that designs failing to meet applicable standards are not used in vehicles.

China MIIT is open to comments and suggestions during the public notice period, which will last until November 10, 2026. By that time, we should have a clearer picture on what new vehicle innovations will stay, and which ones we’re not going to see again.