Design compliance becomes a market-access requirement in China: Manufacturers using flush or hidden-handle designs must redesign door hardware and exterior bodywork to meet the mechanical-release and recess specifications to continue selling in the country.

Two-year grace period creates a split between near-term and new approvals: Vehicles already in late-stage approval can proceed but must be updated within the transition window, while new models face immediate design constraints at launch.

China sets an early regulatory benchmark for EV safety features: As the first country cited as banning hidden handles, China’s standard can become a reference point for other regulators and for global platform design decisions.