South Korean Government Welcomes US Regulation on Connected Cars

Hyundai Motor's Ioniq 6, equipped with a stellar range of intuitive smart tech including navigation, remote control, and automatic emergency services / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor

The South Korean Ministry of Industry has praised the finalized rule on connected cars announced by the United States, stating that it will help reduce uncertainties for Korean automobile manufacturers.

On Tuesday, the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security revealed the new regulation, which prohibits the sale of connected vehicles that contain components, such as cameras and software, made in China and Russia.

The ministry noted, "After the U.S. initially announced the connected car regulations in early 2024, we consulted with the domestic industry to gather feedback."

According to the ministry, the final rule incorporated many of their suggestions, including a clearer definition of the regulatory scope and the easing of requirements concerning the submission of the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). This reflects a positive step towards addressing concerns raised by the industry.

Furthermore, the South Korean government plans to maintain its collaboration with the United States to ensure the smooth implementation of the new rules.

The final regulation specifies that the ban on vehicles featuring software made in China or Russia will take effect for model year 2027. Additional prohibitions targeting hardware components are set to begin for model year 2030.

Carmakers looking to export vehicles to the U.S. must now provide a declaration of conformity and keep records of the SBOM for at least 10 years. This will ensure compliance with the newly established regulations and provide a clearer framework for both domestic and international vehicle manufacturing.

SouthKorea, Regulation, Automakers