Policy

The Jiangxi Provincial Health Commission in eastern China issued Guidelines for Ethics Review of Brain-Computer Interface Clinical Research Projects on May 26, 2026, document number Gan Wei Ke Jiao Fa [2026] No. 8, providing implementing detail for the mutual recognition mechanism proposed in the province's November 2025 BCI measures. For multicentre projects the lead institution's ethics committee conducts the first full review; participating institutions should finish within 10 working days of receiving complete materials and examine only local research conditions, staff qualifications and the informed-consent process; and the lead institution must file with the provincial medical ethics expert committee within 10 working days. Invasive projects treating neurological or psychiatric disease need provincial committee review within 20 working days, with an opinion issued within a further seven.

UNESCO's 43rd General Conference adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Neurotechnology, the first global framework, backed by 194 Member States.

Chile's Ley 21.383, published in 2021, amended Article 19 of the Constitution to require special protection of brain activity, a world first.

The OECD Council adopted the Recommendation on Responsible Innovation in Neurotechnology in December 2019, guiding governments with nine principles.