GB21668-2025
Safety technical specifications of vehicles for the carriage of dangerous goods
危险货物运输车辆安全技术条件
GB 21668-2025 is an upcoming mandatory Chinese national standard for Safety technical specifications of vehicles for the carriage of dangerous goods. It appears in the Electronics compliance cluster with a product safety focus and has an implementation date of Jul 1, 2026.
Applicability depends on product scope, certification route, competent authority notices and transition rules. Requst for the translation or verify source before using this record in a compliance decision.
Compliance overview
Scope and applicability
This standard applies to N-category vehicles, O-category semi-trailers, and semi-trailer trains designed for the transport of dangerous goods. It covers various vehicle types including EX/II, EX/III, FL, AT, and CT types. It is mandatory for all manufacturers producing vehicles for dangerous goods transport in China. The standard does not apply to vehicles not designed for carrying dangerous materials.
Technical requirements
The standard specifies comprehensive safety requirements across several key areas. For general safety, it mandates the use of radial tires, prohibits axle lifting, and requires speed limiting devices set to a maximum of 80 km/h. Manufacturers must equip vehicles with advanced active safety systems including Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (AEBS) for specific vehicle categories. Regarding electrical and fire safety, the standard details requirements for cable routing, battery isolation, and the use of explosion-proof lighting. Vehicles must be equipped with specific numbers of portable fire extinguishers based on their Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW). Combustion heaters must not use gaseous fuels and must automatically shut off when the engine or cargo pump is running. Exhaust systems must be positioned to prevent heating the cargo, and spark arresters are mandatory for certain vehicle types. For tank and specialized vehicles, the standard sets requirements for tank structural integrity, rear underrun protection devices, and emergency shut-off valves. It includes specific provisions for atmospheric tank vehicles, pressure tank vehicles, and vehicles transporting medical waste or temperature-controlled substances. Pure electric vehicles are only permitted to transport specific categories of non-flammable gases and miscellaneous dangerous goods.
Testing methods
The standard outlines specific testing and evaluation procedures for various vehicle components and systems. Key testing methods include the rear underrun protection device test for atmospheric tank vehicles (Appendix D), which evaluates the device's resistance to longitudinal forces using specific loading points and test loads. Other referenced testing procedures cover braking system performance (Type I and Type IIA tests), electronic stability control (ESC), and automatic emergency braking (AEBS) evaluations. The standard also references insulation performance tests for cargo compartments and thermal runaway tests for pure electric vehicle battery systems.
FAQs
What products are regulated under GB 21668-2025?
GB 21668-2025 regulates vehicles for the carriage of dangerous goods, specifically N-category vehicles, O-category semi-trailers, and semi-trailer trains. It covers various vehicle types including EX/II, EX/III, FL, AT, and CT types, as well as specialized vehicles for transporting medical waste and temperature-controlled substances.
Are there any updates from the previous version of GB 21668-2025?
Yes, GB 21668-2025 replaces GB 20300-2018, GB 21668-2008, and GB 36220-2018. Key updates include the addition of requirements for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), electronic stability control (ESC), automatic emergency braking systems (AEBS), and specific requirements for pure electric vehicles transporting dangerous goods.
How does GB 21668-2025 differ from international standards?
While GB 21668-2025 incorporates references to international standards like ISO 19642 for automotive cables and UN Regulation No. 122 for heating systems, it establishes specific Chinese national requirements for vehicle classification, safety markings, and structural limits tailored to domestic regulatory needs.
The summary above provides a high-level overview of GB 21668-2025. To ensure complete compliance for your products entering the Chinese market, a precise and professional translation of the full technical specifications is essential. Purchase our high-quality English translation of GB 21668-2025 today to access all detailed parameters, tables, and testing procedures.
Applicability hints
- Type
- Product
- CCS
- T 59
- ICS
- 43.160
- Competent department
- Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
- Technical committee
- National Technical Committee on Automobiles of Standardization Administration of China
Relationships
Replaces:GB 21668-2008 (Current) , GB 20300-2018 (Current) , GB 36220-2018 (Current)