A decade ago, automated driving was widely forecast to be on public roads by 2020. However, while technology progressed, the task proved more complex than anticipated, requiring sustained research and development, as well as a clear, trusted regulatory path.
After 10 years of technological maturation and regulatory developments, as well as two years of intensive consultations and drafting, a draft global regulation on Automated Driving Systems (ADS), will allow deployment of autonomous vehicles with no supervision by a driver, on public roads.
The proposal, adopted by the UNECE Working Party on Automated/Autonomous and Connected Vehicles (GRVA) at its last meeting (19 - 23 January 2026), establishes uniform safety provisions and a harmonized methodology for validating vehicles equipped with ADS, anchored in a safety case approach and robust research and development processes.
“The adoption of this draft regulation demonstrates the global relevance of UN-led regulatory platforms. Harmonized vehicle rules developed at UNECE are essential to avoid fragmented national approaches and thus maximize economies of scale, and to support safety, market access and innovation in the automotive industry,” said UNECE Executive Secretary Tatiana Molcean.
“The adoption of this draft demonstrates that safety, innovation and public trust can advance together. By working globally, we provide clarity to the industry and confidence to consumers” said Richard Damm, Chair of GRVA. “GRVA will continue elaborating regulations on automated driving functionalities for Level 2, 3 and 4”. (....)