Recently, China’s State Administration for Market Regulation officially announced 294 new national standards.
The focal point of this revision is the GB 38031-2025 standard, which directly addresses the safety of electric vehicle batteries with unprecedentedly stringent technical requirements.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), the GB 38031-2025 standard establishes a core principle: electric vehicle batteries must not explode or catch fire under normal operating conditions or during accidents. This marks the first time China has codified the “no fire, no explosion” requirement into a mandatory national regulation, rather than merely technical recommendations as in the past.
Liu Hongsheng, Director of the Standardization Technology Department at the State Administration for Market Regulation, emphasized that the new regulation will present electric vehicle manufacturers with a mandatory technological challenge. To comply, companies must focus on optimizing battery design and upgrading thermal management systems (TMS). The ultimate goal is to ensure overall safety for new energy vehicles, minimizing risks for users amid the rapid growth of the electric vehicle industry.
The implementation roadmap for the GB 38031-2025 standard includes specific timelines. New electric vehicle models seeking market approval must meet the regulation starting July 1, 2026. For previously approved and produced models, manufacturers have an additional year to adjust, with the final transition deadline set for July 1, 2027.
