As the mandatory implementation deadline for domestic in-vehicle accident emergency call systems approaches in July 2027, GB 45672, GB/T 45314, ITU-T P.1140, and the EU eCall standard have become frequently cited certification terms among automakers, supply chain professionals, and industry stakeholders. Many struggle to distinguish the roles, functions, and interrelationships of these four standards. This article explains them in plain language: what each standard regulates, who enforces compliance, who references them, and how their coordinated application ensures regulatory compliance.
1、First, understand: what exactly are the four certifications?
1．GB 45672-2025 "Onboard Accident Emergency Calling System" — China Mandatory Access "General Principles"
GB 45672-2025 is China's mandatory national standard for On-Board Emergency Call Systems (AECS). It serves as the legal safety certification required for M1 and N1 class vehicles to obtain type certification, market approval, and license plate registration domestically. Vehicles failing this certification cannot be legally sold. Centered on enhancing emergency response efficiency, the standard comprehensively regulates technical requirements for AECS systems throughout the entire process from activation to rescue completion, representing the highest-level compliance document in China's on-board emergency call sector. Its core mandate establishes this as the statutory threshold for vehicle market entry, license plate issuance, and sales authorization – failure to meet these requirements prohibits lawful distribution.
l The widest coverage: automatic/manual triggering, Beidou priority positioning, 4G/5G communication, China customized MSD minimum dataset, voice calls, backup power supply, system reliability, and electromagnetic compatibility across the entire chain.
l Key logic: It serves as the "general rule," directly referencing GB/T 45314 while also incorporating ITU-T P.1140 to establish speech performance criteria.
2．GB/T 45314-2025 "Road Vehicles – Performance Requirements and Test Methods for Headless Communication and Voice Interaction" – Special Voice Test Requirements
GB/T 45314-2025 is China's national recommended standard for hands-free communication and voice interaction in vehicles. Although it does not have mandatory force, its inclusion in GB 45672-2025 makes it a compulsory requirement for emergency calls, serving as a "specialized quality inspector" for emergency call voice quality. The standard focuses on ensuring effective voice communication in complex in-vehicle environments, addressing issues of "inability to hear or speak clearly" caused by accident noise, driving wind noise, and engine noise.
Core positioning: Emergency call voice quality "quality inspector", focusing solely on voice quality while disregarding other system functionalities.
What to measure: acoustic parameters including accident noise, driving noise, call clarity, loudness, delay, and signal-to-noise ratio under multi-source interference, ensuring clear communication during rescue operations.
In short: Failure to comply with this requirement means failure to meet GB 45672 standards—it is a non-negotiable requirement for voice compliance.
3．ITU-T P.1140 "Voice Communications Requirements for Vehicle Emergency Calls" — Global Universal Voice Benchmark
ITU-T P.1140 is the global universal standard for vehicle emergency voice communication established by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU-T). It serves as an international reference standard without mandatory legal authority for market access in any country or region, and acts as the unified benchmark for voice performance in global vehicle eCall systems. Both China's GB 45672 and the EU eCall system rely on this standard as their foundational basis for emergency voice performance specifications, ensuring interoperability of emergency voice communication worldwide.
Function: Standardizes global emergency call voice testing methods and metrics to facilitate one-time development and multi-region compatibility for cross-border vehicle models.
In short: it is a "reference manual", not an "access pass".
4．EU eCall (including NG eCall) – Mandatory market access in the EU
The EU eCall is a mandatory in-vehicle emergency call access certification enforced by the European Union for M1 and N1 class vehicles. It comprises two phases: traditional eCall and the next-generation NG eCall, implemented in accordance with EU Regulations (EU) 2015/758, (EU) 2024/1180, and UN R144. This certification serves as a legal prerequisite for vehicle models to enter the EU market. Its core objective is to standardize emergency call systems, thereby reducing accident response times and lowering traffic accident fatality rates within the EU.
Core positioning: EU version of the mandatory "Life Line" standard, implemented in accordance with (EU) 2015/758, (EU) 2024/1180 and UN R144 regulations.
Coverage: Automatic/manual activation, GPS/Galileo positioning, standard MSD, backup power supply, voice communication, network connectivity, and comprehensive system privacy protection. The voice quality must comply with ITU-T P.1140 standards.
Key upgrade features: The NG eCall system is built on a 4G/5G IMS architecture, enabling simultaneous voice and data transmission, and will fully replace traditional CS eCall by 2027.
2、Understanding Four Core Differences in Certification at a Glance: A Table-Based Overview
3、Summary in layman's terms: What is their relationship?
A set of "rescue procedures" to help you understand instantly:
l GB 45672 is the commander-in-chief: it stipulates that vehicles involved in accidents must automatically call for help, locate, transmit data, and be able to make calls. Failure to meet any one of these requirements will result in disqualification, determining whether they can be sold in China.
l GB/T 45314 is the operator standard: specifically designed to ensure voice quality during emergency calls, guaranteeing clear communication even amidst noise, serving as the 'voice guardian' for GB 45672.
l ITU-T P.1140 is the Universal Code of Practice: adopted by China and Europe to establish standardized voice protocols, preventing global inconsistencies and facilitating technical interoperability.
l The EU eCall serves as the EU passport: while sharing similar positioning with GB 45672, it specifically targets the EU market and technically adheres to P.1140 standards.
4、What does this mean for the industry and car owners?
1．Automakers/Supply Chain: The domestic market must first comply with the GB/T 45314 voice standard, followed by the GB 45672 comprehensive system mandatory standard. For exports to the EU, simultaneous acquisition of eCall/NG eCall certification is required. The voice performance metrics can be reused from P.1140 achievements, thereby reducing development costs.
2．Vehicle Owner: Starting in 2027, all new vehicles will come standard with emergency calling, automatic collision distress signals, one-touch SOS functionality, and precise positioning capabilities, significantly reducing rescue response times and enhancing travel safety.
5、Final key points
1．Domestic compliance must be met: GB 45672 (Mandatory General Principles) + GB/T 45314 (Mandatory Voice), both of which are mandatory and cannot be omitted.
2．International benchmarking: ITUT P.1140 (Global Speech Benchmark).
3．EU export requirements: eCall/NG eCall (locally mandatory access).
4．These four standards collectively establish the safety foundation for in-vehicle emergency calls, serving both as regulatory thresholds and life-saving mechanisms. They are poised to become core standard configurations in intelligent vehicle safety systems.
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