What Are The Security Requirements To Sell In Europe?

To sell digital products in Europe, startups must comply with the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which mandates cybersecurity standards for products with digital elements. This includes secure design, vulnerability management, incident reporting, and conformity assessments.

Why this matters for startups

Compliance with the CRA is crucial for market access in the EU. Non-compliance can lead to significant fines, product recalls, and reputational damage.

When this becomes essential

Scenario	Why It Matters
Handling sensitive customer data	Ensures data protection and builds customer trust
Entering regulated markets	Meets industry-specific compliance requirements
Seeking investment or partnerships	Demonstrates organizational maturity and risk management
Scaling operations across regions	Addresses varying compliance requirements in different jurisdictions

Key security requirements under the EU Cyber Resilience Act

Here’s a breakdown of essential security requirements:

Requirement	Description
Secure by Design and Default	Products must be developed with security integrated from the outset.
Vulnerability Management	Implement processes to handle and disclose vulnerabilities throughout the product lifecycle.
Incident Reporting	Report any actively exploited vulnerabilities or severe incidents to the relevant authorities within 24 hours.
Conformity Assessment	Conduct assessments to demonstrate compliance with CRA requirements.
CE Marking	Affix the CE marking to products that meet CRA standards, indicating conformity.

What you can do now

• Assess Product Compliance: Evaluate your products against CRA requirements.
• Implement Security Measures: Integrate security features during the design and development phases.
• Establish Reporting Protocols: Set up processes for vulnerability and incident reporting.
• Prepare Documentation: Maintain technical documentation to support conformity assessments.
• Plan for CE Marking: Understand the process and requirements for affixing the CE marking to your products.

Simplify compliance with Sprinto

Sprinto offers a platform that automates compliance workflows, assigns roles, and monitors adherence to various standards, making it easier for startups to manage security responsibilities effectively as they scale.