China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology introduced stricter documentation requirements for automakers seeking vehicle approval in the country, according to a statement released Friday.
Inclusion in the catalogue represents the final major regulatory step for a model to gain approval for sale in China, the world’s largest auto market.
Under the new rules, automakers applying for product access for passenger vehicles must now provide overall photos showing both exterior and interior images.
“When applying for product access for passenger vehicle products, overall photos that can reflect the overall layout and internal structure of the front-row driver’s cabin shall be provided in the structural drawings; the corresponding Product User Manual for the model shall be uploaded in the supporting materials,” the statement reads.
The official drawings will now include internal structure of the front-row driver’s cabin, revealing the interior of the models.
Companies must also upload the corresponding product user manual in supporting materials.
The requirements apply to models newly applying for product access starting from the Batch No. 404, according to the statement.
“Relevant testing institutions shall promptly improve their inspection and testing capabilities and make preparations for the implementation of the standards,” MIIT said.
“Vehicle manufacturing enterprises shall promptly organize the implementation and rectification work for the standards, reasonably arrange timelines and progress, provide inspection reports as required, and properly carry out work related to adjustments to product-access model names and application requirement adjustments.”
MIIT releases each new catalogue of vehicles pending approval for public comment before granting final authorization.
Earlier this month, MIIT released its 24th catalogue of new energy vehicles eligible for purchase tax breaks, which included 78 passenger vehicle models from automakers including Volkswagen AG and XPeng’s facelifted Mona M03 sedan.
