The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe has established the first-ever regulatory framework for fully driverless Automated Driving Systems on an international scale.

The commission’s World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations adopted the framework to establish “uniform international safety requirements and a common methodology for validating ADS-equipped vehicles.”

The forum said it “aims to strengthen trust among governments, industry, and the public by ensuring that automated systems meet rigorous, outcome‑focused safety standards.”

The regulation includes guidance on safety-management systems for manufacturers; testing environments that meet strict credibility criteria; evidence that the ADS “poses no unreasonable risk”; continuous performance monitoring and reporting; and safety-relevant data storage.

Major automotive markets, including the U.S., have endorsed the regulation, according to the commission.

The development comes just four months after U.S. Rep. Bob Latta introduced the Self Drive Act of 2026, which aims to amend title 49 regarding the authority of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration over vehicles with ADS “to provide safety measures for such vehicles, and for other purposes.”

In a nutshell, the bill adds cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers, establishes standard definitions for autonomous driving levels, expands NHTSA’s authority over vehicles with ADS, and directs NHTSA to develop new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards specifically for ADS-equipped vehicles.

Perhaps the biggest provision in the bill is the federal preemption that would override state laws governing ADS vehicle design, construction and performance. However, states would retain their authority over licensing, registration, insurance and traffic enforcement.

The bill is currently in the first stage of the legislative process, not yet approved by the House or Senate.