ADAS code of conduct published

Australia’s automotive industry has launched a national code of conduct for calibrating advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), providing clear guidance for repairers working on critical safety features that will be present in 43 per cent of vehicles by 2030.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association unveiled the ADAS Industry Code of Conduct at the Autocare 2025 convention in Brisbane, addressing a gap in consistent practices for recalibrating systems including autonomous emergency braking (AEB), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control.

These features rely on precise sensor inputs from radar, cameras and lidar, which must be recalibrated after many types of repairs to ensure continued safety performance.

“ADAS isn’t just a feature or an optional extra – it’s the foundation of future automotive technology. It’s the beginning of the next technological revolution,” said AAAA director of government relations and advocacy Lesley Yates.

Ms Yates pointed out that while road safety regulators have mandated AEB for all new vehicles under ADR 98/00 – a regulation designed to enhance road safety – there are currently no consistent guidelines on recalibrating these systems after repair.

“What happens after that – when the vehicle is repaired, a windscreen is replaced, or when the suspension is modified – is just as important. Until now, there’s been no shared national approach to when and how calibration should occur,” Ms Yates explained.

The ADAS Code is a comprehensive, sector-specific guide for mechanical workshops, windscreen services, collision repairers and tyre specialists. 

Developed by the Automotive Repairers Council of Australia (ARCA), the code complements original equipment manufacturer procedures while addressing areas where guidance is currently lacking.

The code includes decision models, checklists and real-world examples to help technicians determine whether calibration is needed after repair. It also provides recommendations on documenting the process and communicating with customers.

“We’ve had to bring together a lot of perspectives – mechanical, collision, tyre, windscreen, tool suppliers, trainers and more. And we’ve done it,” said ARCA chair and Highfields Mechanical owner Craig Baills.

“This is a practical document. It doesn’t live in theory – it lives in the workshop. And it’s something that every business, regardless of size or specialty, can use to lift their game and protect their customers.”

The ADAS Code also acknowledges a broader shift from assisted to automated driving because ADAS technologies are widely considered the building blocks for autonomous vehicles, making accurate calibration crucial for a successful transition to self-driving cars.

“If we don’t get ADAS right, we don’t get autonomy at all,” warned Ms Yates.

“Public trust in autonomous vehicles will depend on our ability to maintain and service these systems accurately and consistently. Calibration isn’t just a workshop procedure – it’s a national safety issue.”

Describing the ADAS Code as a clear demonstration of proactive industry leadership, AAAA chief executive Stuart Charity said the document was “exactly what a leading national industry association should be doing – bringing people together, fostering collaboration and producing practical solutions to real-world problems”.

As the number of ADAS-equipped vehicles on Australian roads increases, the relevance of the code is expected to grow significantly, establishing critical standards for an industry managing increasingly complex safety systems.

As such, the Code is designed as a living document and the AAAA has committed to reviewing and updating it regularly to keep pace with evolving technology and ongoing industry feedback.

Six months after release, the ADAS Technical Working Group will reconvene to assess new developments and make refinements where necessary.

“We’ve built a national ADAS Code because we know where the future is heading,” said Ms Yates.

“We’ve done the work. And we’ll keep doing the work – because that’s what leadership looks like.”

By collaborating closely with government regulators, the AAAA aims to show how industry-led frameworks can deliver both safety and business certainty without relying on regulatory intervention.