Autonomous Driving UN Releases Regulations for Autonomous Vehicles

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The UNECE has proposed a global regulation for autonomous vehicles. It enables uniform safety standards and is due to come into force this summer.

After ten years of technological development and two years of intensive negotiations, the Working Group on Automated and Connected Driving of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has adopted a draft for a global regulation on automated driving systems. The regulation allows for the operation of autonomous vehicles without driver supervision on public roads.

The draft was accepted at the recent meeting of the UNECE Working Group GRVA (January 19 to 23, 2026). It establishes uniform safety regulations and a harmonized methodology for the validation of vehicles with automated driving systems. The foundation is a safety case approach with robust research and development processes.

Additions to Data Collection Still Needed

The draft builds on the framework "Document on Automated Vehicles" from 2022, which defines fundamental principles for the safety of automated vehicles. Additionally, the guidelines and recommendations for requirements, evaluations, and testing methods adopted in June 2024 are incorporated.

The draft will be presented to the UNECE World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations (WP.29) for adoption at its next meeting (June 23 to 26, 2026). Before that, the GRVA aims to finalize technical regulations for data collection for automated driving systems. If adopted by the World Forum, the global regulation would come into effect immediately.

USA, China, and Japan Signal Support

During the meeting, the US transportation agency NHTSA announced that the Department of Transportation would publish a public statement on the draft on January 23, 2026, to determine its official position ahead of the vote in June 2026.

China stated that it would design its national standard based on the structure of the global regulation and would also seek feedback. Japan expressed satisfaction with the process and welcomed the outcome of the work. Several European countries welcomed the establishment of the global regulation.

Five Core Elements

The global regulation aims to meet the needs of various markets and foster innovation while ensuring the highest safety standards. Its core elements include:

• Safety Management System (SMS): Mandatory governance, processes, and competencies for safety throughout the entire lifecycle. The regulation includes auditing and certification of the SMS.
• Credibility of Tests: Requirements to demonstrate the credibility of testing environments and methods, including virtual toolchains.
• Safety Case: Manufacturers must provide structured claims, arguments, and evidence to demonstrate that the automated driving system meets outcome-oriented requirements and is free from unacceptable risks. This evidence is subject to comprehensive evaluation.
• Operational Monitoring and Reporting (ISMR): A feedback loop for continuous performance monitoring and reporting to authorities, enabling learning and corrective actions.
• Data Storage System for Automated Driving (DSSAD): The ability to record and store safety-relevant performance data of automated driving systems.

Since 2018, the UNECE Working Group GRVA has been conducting international regulatory work on vehicle automation, software, and digitalization. It operates under the World Forum WP.29, which provides a global regulatory platform for vehicle regulations under the agreements of 1958 and 1998.