Step-by-Step CRA Compliance
Your complete roadmap to achieving Cyber Resilience Act compliance with practical guidance, templates, and tools.
First: Understand Your Product's Risk Category
CRA requirements vary based on your product's risk level
Default Risk
Most products with digital elements
Important Risk (Class I)
Products with higher security implications
Important Risk (Class II)
Products in critical sectors
Critical Risk
Products that could cause serious harm
Your 6-Step Compliance Journey
Follow this proven process to achieve CRA compliance systematically
1. Product Assessment & Classification
Determine which CRA requirements apply to your products
Action Items:
- List all products with digital elements
- Classify products by risk level (Default/Important/Critical)
- Identify which products are in scope for CRA
- Document product categories and justifications
Deliverables:
- Product inventory
- Risk classification matrix
- Scope determination document
Helpful Tools:
2. Implement Security by Design
Build cybersecurity into your product development process
Action Items:
- Conduct threat modeling for each product
- Define security requirements and controls
- Implement secure coding practices
- Design secure default configurations
Deliverables:
- Threat model documents
- Security requirements specification
- Secure coding guidelines
Helpful Tools:
3. Establish Vulnerability Management
Set up processes to handle security vulnerabilities
Action Items:
- Create coordinated vulnerability disclosure policy
- Set up vulnerability reporting channels
- Establish incident response procedures
- Define patch management processes
Deliverables:
- Vulnerability disclosure policy
- Incident response plan
- Patch management procedures
Helpful Tools:
4. Prepare Technical Documentation
Create comprehensive technical and security documentation
Action Items:
- Create technical documentation file
- Document security architecture and controls
- Prepare Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
- Write user security guidance
Deliverables:
- Technical documentation
- Security documentation
- SBOM
- User security manual
Helpful Tools:
5. Conduct Conformity Assessment
Prove your product meets CRA requirements
Action Items:
- Choose appropriate conformity assessment procedure
- Engage notified body (if required)
- Conduct security testing and evaluation
- Complete conformity assessment documentation
Deliverables:
- Conformity assessment report
- Test results
- EU Declaration of Conformity
Helpful Tools:
6. Prepare for Market Entry
Complete final steps for EU market placement
Action Items:
- Affix CE marking to compliant products
- Register with product database (if required)
- Prepare market surveillance documentation
- Train sales and support teams on CRA requirements
Deliverables:
- CE marked products
- Database registration
- Market surveillance file
Helpful Tools:
Common Implementation Challenges
Learn from others' experiences and avoid these common pitfalls
Challenge: Legacy System Integration
Difficulty retrofitting security into existing products and systems.
Solutions:
- • Start with risk assessment of existing systems
- • Prioritize high-risk components for immediate attention
- • Plan phased security improvements
- • Consider security gateways for legacy devices
Challenge: Documentation Overhead
Creating comprehensive technical documentation can be overwhelming.
Solutions:
- • Use standardized templates and checklists
- • Automate documentation where possible
- • Start with existing documentation and enhance
- • Focus on CRA-specific requirements first
Challenge: Standards Development
Harmonized standards are still being developed, creating uncertainty.
Solutions:
- • Follow existing security best practices
- • Monitor standards development progress
- • Implement security by design principles now
- • Join industry working groups
Challenge: Resource Allocation
Determining how much time and budget to allocate for compliance.
Solutions:
- • Conduct gap analysis to scope work
- • Start with high-impact, low-cost improvements
- • Consider external consultants for expertise
- • Build compliance costs into product pricing
Quick Start: What to Do This Week
Don't know where to begin? Start with these immediate actions
Take the Gap Analysis
5-minute assessment to understand your current compliance status
Start Assessment →Inventory Your Products
List all products with digital elements that may need compliance
Use Product Tool →Review Requirements
Understand what Annex I essential requirements mean for your products
Read Requirements →Need Help with CRA Compliance?
Our cybersecurity experts can guide you through every step of the compliance process.
Official Source
Regulation (EU) 2024/2847 - Cyber Resilience Act
Cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements - conformity assessment procedures and compliance obligations.
View on EUR-Lex