Seoul: South Korea's industry ministry has welcomed Washington's finalized rule on connected cars, highlighting its potential to eliminate uncertainties for South Korean automakers. The new rule, announced by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security, prohibits the sale of connected cars equipped with cameras, software, and other components manufactured in China and Russia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the South Korean government had been actively engaging with the domestic industry since the preliminary announcement of the regulation in early 2024. The finalized rule has incorporated most of the feedback provided by the South Korean government. This includes narrowing the regulation's scope, clarifying terms, and easing requirements related to the submission of the software bill of materials (SBOM), thereby addressing most industry concerns.
The ministry has expressed its intention to continue collaborating with the U.S. to ensure the effective implementation of the rule. The new regulations will gradually come into effect, with the ban on software from China or Russia starting with model year 2027, and hardware prohibitions beginning with model year 2030.
Automakers are now required to submit a declaration of conformity to export vehicles to the U.S. market and must maintain records of the SBOM for at least 10 years. The South Korean industry ministry views these developments as a positive step in reducing market uncertainties.