Deepening Sino-German Dialogue on Automotive Safety Standards

Regulatory alignment in the automotive sector remains a decisive factor for smooth market access and resilient supply chains between Germany and China. Reflecting this priority, over 50 representatives from government authorities, industry associations, conformity assessment bodies, and OEMs gathered in Beijing on 19 March for the Sino-German Meeting on Automotive Safety, hosted by VDA under the joint lead of BMWE and SAMR. Dr. Arne Höll (BMWE) and Mr. Guan Junwen (SAMR) opened the meeting, setting the tone for a substantive technical exchange.

At the core of the discussions was Germany's type approval system, administered by the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) within the EU's harmonized regulatory framework, and complemented by insights into the Sino-German QI Dialogue. This dialogue traces back to a ministerial-level declaration signed in 2019 between SAMR and BMWE, building on earlier cooperation agreements from 2011 and 2013, and today operates through three dedicated working bodies covering standardization, conformity assessment, and product safety.

Particular attention was given to China's CCC certification system, especially the newly revised 2026 implementing rules for automotive components. These rules represent a notable shift away from manufacturer self-declaration toward third-party certification and introduce more rigorous obligations — including a designated quality officer, extended documentation retention of five to ten years, a dynamic supplier registry, and mandatory annual conformity reporting.

The meeting further explored how Chinese OEMs navigate certification requirements when entering the European market, working closely with authorities such as the KBA, and offered a forward-looking perspective on the certification of EV traction batteries as EU battery regulation continues to evolve.

German participants voiced concerns around the ongoing CCC rule revisions and certification pathways for aftermarket components, while Chinese counterparts sought clarity on the implementation of the EU's electronic Certificate of Conformity — questions that KBA experts addressed directly during the session.

Overall, the meeting reinforced how sustained technical dialogue can help dismantle conformity assessment barriers and pave the way toward greater regulatory harmonization in one of the most trade-critical sectors of the Sino-German relationship.