Cyber Resilience Act: Rutronik supports electronics industry in meeting EU requirements
The EU’s upcoming Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is set to reshape the electronics sector with strict cybersecurity obligations, new certification processes, and heavy penalties for non-compliance. For many manufacturers, especially SMEs, the regulation brings both uncertainty and significant workload.
For eeNews Europe readers, the Cyber Resilience Act is a critical development: it directly affects design, compliance, and delivery processes for all electronic products entering the EU market — with long-term consequences for supply chains and product strategies.
Tough compliance ahead
Starting in December 2027, only electronic products that comply with CRA requirements will be allowed on the European market. That includes mandatory risk classifications, complete documentation, a software bill of materials (SBOM), and guaranteed security updates for at least five years after the last sale. Companies will also face strict reporting obligations for vulnerabilities.
Penalties are steep: fines can reach €15 million or 2.5% of global turnover, and CE marking may be denied altogether if certification is incomplete. Importers face almost the same level of responsibility as manufacturers — a liability trap for distributors or companies sourcing from outside Europe without realizing the implications.
Certification bottlenecks loom as companies seek approvals before reporting obligations start in 2026 and the law takes full effect in 2027.
Rutronik builds early momentum
Distributor Rutronik has positioned itself as a guide through this regulatory maze. In June 2025, it hosted an international CRA webinar day with TÜV Süd, cybersecurity consultancy 1ACUE, and semiconductor giant Infineon, attracting around 500 participants worldwide.
The event highlighted both urgency and opportunity. “The CRA presents many of our customers with major challenges, but it also presents them with the opportunity to make their processes future-proof and resilient. We actively support them in this,” said Bernd Hantsche, Vice President Technology Competence Center at Rutronik.
Experts from TÜV Süd and 1ACUE outlined the scope of new compliance requirements, while Infineon offered exclusive insight into EU-level discussions on risk classification for electronic components — a topic manufacturers will need clarity on before 2025 ends.
From supply partner to compliance advisor
Rutronik says it goes beyond component supply by offering structured support for CRA readiness. Services include help with preliminary risk assessments, advice on documentation and update obligations, and access to reliable supplier data. The distributor has also trained its teams internally on CRA-relevant processes to act as a bridge between OEMs, suppliers, and legislators.
Cybersecurity as a market differentiator
While the CRA represents a significant compliance burden, Rutronik argues it can also be a competitive advantage. Companies that adopt secure processes early may gain faster market access and stronger customer trust — while late movers could face costly delays.
For Europe’s electronics industry, cybersecurity is no longer just a regulatory checkbox. It is becoming a decisive factor in competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and market credibility.
https://www.rutronik.com/
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