The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China (MIIT) has published a draft national standard GB 11557-202X «Requirements for Protecting the Driver from Injury by the Steering Mechanism». The document will come into force on January 1, 2027.
The current GB 11557-2011 standard, according to the regulator, does not meet the level of modern technologies, especially given the rapid growth of the electric vehicle segment in China. The updated edition strengthens a number of requirements.
In particular, the horizontal force during dummy tests has been reduced to 11,110 N in accordance with the international regulation UN R12. Stricter restrictions on the upward and backward displacement of the steering column during a collision have also been introduced. In addition, previous exceptions have been canceled: now all models must undergo tests for human impact.
For the yoke-type steering wheel, fundamental compliance issues arise. The new standard requires impact testing at ten points on the wheel rim, including «the middle of the weakest section» and «the middle of the shortest unsupported section». A steering wheel without an upper section physically lacks such points, making it impossible to meet the requirements.
According to Autohome, 46% of driver injuries in China are related to steering mechanism elements. The classic round steering wheel provides a more even distribution of load when the body shifts forward. In the case of a cut steering wheel, the body may «slide» past the rim during a repeated impact, increasing the risk of injury.
Special attention is paid to the safety of airbag deployment. The new standard prohibits the presence of hard elements directed towards the driver when the Airbag is deployed. For complex-shaped steering wheels, unpredictable scenarios of the destruction of plastic and metal parts are possible, complicating the confirmation of safety during tests.
Apart from regulatory aspects, drivers report practical inconveniences. Unlike Formula 1 cars, production vehicles require large steering angles during maneuvers such as U-turns and parking. Users complain of difficulties when driving with one hand and accidental touches of instrument panel screens.
After the standard comes into force in 2027, all new models will have to comply with the updated requirements to obtain type approval. Already approved vehicles will probably have a transitional period of about 13 months to make structural changes.
Source: CarNewsChina