Supporting manufacturers placing products with digital elements on the EU market
The Cyber Resilience Act, Regulation (EU) 2024/2847, introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements placed on the EU market. It requires manufacturers to take responsibility not only for secure product design, but also for vulnerability handling, security updates, technical documentation, and ongoing compliance throughout the product lifecycle.
International Associates provides a practical EU-based representative and compliance support service for manufacturers that need an experienced partner to help manage these obligations.
Our service is designed for businesses placing connected products, software, smart devices, platforms, and other digital products on the EU market and needing structured support with both pre-market and post-market requirements.
What is the Cyber Resilience Act?
The Cyber Resilience Act sets out horizontal cybersecurity requirements for products with digital elements, with the aim of improving product security, reducing vulnerabilities, and ensuring that manufacturers provide appropriate security support throughout the expected life of the product. It also requires manufacturers to improve transparency for users, including around support periods and security updates.
The Regulation is broader than many existing product laws because it is not limited to one sector. It applies across a wide range of hardware and software products, unless they are already covered by certain sector-specific legislation excluded from scope.
Our EU CRA Representative Service
International Associates offers a complete support service for non-EU manufacturers and other organisations needing an EU-based partner for Cyber Resilience Act compliance.
We act as your regulatory interface in the EU and support your organisation in building and maintaining a compliant framework around your products with digital elements.
Our service can include formal representative functions, compliance oversight, technical documentation review, and ongoing lifecycle support.
Our Scope of Service
EU-based regulatory contact point
We can act as your EU-based point of contact for matters relating to the Cyber Resilience Act, supporting communication with competent authorities and market surveillance authorities where needed.
This includes support with document provision, regulatory questions, and coordination during any compliance review or investigation.
Pre-market compliance review
Before your products are placed on the EU market, we can review your readiness against the Regulation. This includes assessing whether the product appears to have been designed and developed in line with the essential cybersecurity requirements and whether the relevant technical documentation is in place. The Regulation expects products to be placed on the market with fewer vulnerabilities and with security considered across the product lifecycle.
Technical documentation review
We support clients in preparing and reviewing the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance. Depending on the product, this may include review of the cybersecurity risk assessment, product security design information, vulnerability handling processes, support period information, declarations, and related product records.
Where documents are incomplete or weak, we identify the gaps and help the client understand what needs to be strengthened before market placement.
Vulnerability handling and security update oversight
The Regulation places strong emphasis on vulnerability management and ongoing security support. Manufacturers are expected to have processes for identifying, addressing, and disclosing vulnerabilities, and to provide security updates during the support period.
International Associates can review and assess these arrangements, including vulnerability disclosure processes, internal escalation routes, remediation procedures, and update policies.
Lifecycle compliance support
CRA compliance does not stop once the product is placed on the market. Manufacturers are expected to continue managing vulnerabilities and security updates throughout the support period, and certain product changes may trigger further assessment.
We support clients with ongoing reviews of lifecycle compliance, including software changes, update controls, end-of-support arrangements, and whether a product modification could be considered substantial.
Supply chain and component due diligence
The Regulation makes clear that manufacturers need to exercise due diligence over components sourced from third parties, including software and open-source components. This includes consideration of known vulnerabilities, security update history, and the security of integrated components.
We can support clients in reviewing supplier controls, third-party component risk, and software bill of materials expectations.
Market surveillance and corrective action support
If questions are raised by authorities, we assist with the structured response. We can help coordinate document submission, review technical issues, and support clients with corrective action planning, product restriction issues, or where necessary withdrawal or recall support.
Who this service is for
This service is suitable for manufacturers and product owners involved in products with digital elements, including software and connected hardware, who need support with EU cybersecurity compliance.
It is particularly relevant for organisations that are based outside the EU and require an experienced EU partner to support regulatory communication and practical implementation.
Why International Associates Limited
We understand that for most manufacturers this is not just a legal exercise. The challenge is translating the Regulation into workable product, quality, and post-market processes.
Our team combines regulatory understanding with practical audit, technical review, and compliance management experience. We focus on identifying gaps clearly, setting out realistic actions, and helping clients establish a robust and defensible compliance position.
If your organisation is planning to place products with digital elements on the EU market and needs support with Cyber Resilience Act obligations, International Associates can help.