CRA compliance: What the EU Cyber Resilience Act requires by 2027
What is CRA compliance under the EU Cyber Resilience Act?
CRA compliance refers to compliance with the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), a regulation that introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements. CRA compliance becomes mandatory in 2027 and directly impacts manufacturers, machine builders, and software providers operating in the EU market.
Cyber Resilience Act applies broadly to manufacturers, importers, and software providers whose products rely on digital functionality. The regulation ensures that organizations address cybersecurity throughout the entire product lifecycle, from design and development to deployment and maintenance. Only after understanding these regulatory obligations does it become relevant to examine how specific sectors, such as industrial machine builders and after-sales software providers, can practically implement CRA compliance within their operations.
By utilizing fter.io‘s new AI-powered tool, CRA Navigator, companies can ensure that their cyber security practices are fully EU CRA compliant by 2027.
The mechanics of CRA compliance
A core element of the CRA’s operating mechanisms is documentation and traceability. Companies must maintain appropriate technical documentation that enables them to demonstrate to authorities and other stakeholders that they comply with the regulatory requirements. This process requires continuous and structured action, with clearly defined responsibilities, procedures, and oversight.
CRA compliance also requires transparency regarding the software content of products and the dependencies associated with it. The SBOM (Software Bill of Materials) plays a key role in this context by providing a structured inventory of the software components contained in a product, including their versions and origins. SBOMs support CRA requirements in particular by enabling effective vulnerability management, risk assessment, and incident response. Companies must be able to keep SBOM information up to date and actively use it as part of ongoing compliance monitoring, not merely as static documentation, but as an integral component of cybersecurity governance and regulatory compliance.
How CRA compliance works under the EU Cyber Resilience Act
CRA compliance 2027 is not optional. Under the Cyber Resilience Act, non-compliance may result in market access restrictions, product withdrawal, or administrative penalties defined by EU Member States. From 2027 onward, only compliant products can be legally placed on the EU market.
CRA compliance under the EU Cyber Resilience Act requires organizations to implement cybersecurity measures across the entire product lifecycle. This includes identifying and managing cybersecurity risks during product design, ensuring secure development practices, addressing vulnerabilities throughout the product’s operational life, and providing timely security updates. Manufacturers must also maintain appropriate technical documentation and systematically apply cybersecurity requirements rather than treating them as one-time controls.
In practice, CRA compliance demands continuous monitoring, clear accountability, and the ability to respond effectively to emerging threats. Organizations must establish processes for vulnerability handling, incident reporting, and coordination with relevant authorities when required. As cybersecurity threats evolve, compliance under the Cyber Resilience Act is not a static state but an ongoing obligation that requires structured governance, reliable data, and auditable processes to ensure sustained conformity with EU CRA regulations.
Contact us today to learn how our AI-driven CRA compliance solution can support your business. We will be happy to discuss your specific obligations under the Cyber Resilience Act and demonstrate how our solution helps you move from regulatory uncertainty to full CRA compliance with confidence till 2027.
