Navigating CRA, CE & GPSR Compliance for Embedded Software — And Who Can Help You Get There

Epteck GmbH > Blog > Cybersecurity > Navigating CRA, CE & GPSR Compliance for Embedded Software — And Who Can Help You Get There
As embedded devices continue to power critical industries—from energy and healthcare to consumer IoT—regulatory compliance has become more than a checkbox. New frameworks like the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), along with CE and GPSR requirements, are reshaping how manufacturers design, document, and certify their products.Without these compliances, companies cannot sell their products in major markets such as the EU, Canada, the United States, and most of Asia.Meeting these standards requires early planning. If you want to understand each regulation, how it affects your upcoming product, and who can support you through compliance—you’re in the right place.

What Is the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA)?

The CRA is the EU’s new cybersecurity regulation for digital products—covering hardware and software that connect directly or indirectly to networks. It mandates manufacturers to prove their devices are secure by design, undergo vulnerability testing, and maintain update traceability.

Why It Matters

  • Ensures devices are protected against cyber threats and tampering.
  • Requires continuous patching, incident response, and lifecycle documentation.
  • Applies to IoT devices, industrial controllers, consumer electronics, and embedded firmware vendors.

Who’s Affected?

Any company developing or selling connected devices in the EU—especially in industrial automation, energy, medical devices, or smart consumer products.

CE Marking — Europe’s Quality & Safety Standard

The CE marking ensures that a device meets essential safety, EMC, and performance standards before entering the EU market. For embedded developers, that means aligning firmware, electronics, and documentation with directives like:

  • Low Voltage Directive (LVD)
  • Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Directive
  • Radio Equipment Directive (RED)

Why It’s Crucial

  • Without CE certification, you cannot legally sell devices in the EU.
  • Non-compliance may result in recalls, fines, and product bans.

GPSR — The General Product Safety Regulation

The GPSR replaces the old EU product safety directive. It emphasizes consumer safety, transparency, and traceability—especially for connected products.

Key GPSR Requirements

  • Risk assessment for hardware and software components.
  • Post-market monitoring (OTA, recalls, field analytics).
  • Comprehensive safety documentation and traceable labeling.

For IoT products, GPSR overlaps with CE and CRA, meaning integrated documentation and cybersecurity validation are required.

How to Prepare for CRA, CE & GPSR — The Smart Way

Navigating all three frameworks requires a multidisciplinary approach—combining secure design, validation testing, and regulatory documentation.

Best Practices

  • Start compliance early—during system architecture and design.
  • Automate documentation using traceable reviews, OTA logs, and evidence reports.
  • Adopt secure-by-design principles like Secure Boot, encryption, and firmware integrity checks.
  • Partner with specialists experienced in embedded security and compliance.

Who Can Help: Engineering Partners for CRA & CE Compliance

If you’re looking for engineering teams—not just auditors—Epteck GmbH is one of the few specialized companies combining embedded cybersecurity, firmware engineering, and compliance documentation.

At Epteck, we help OEMs and device manufacturers:

  • Conduct CRA gap analyses and threat modeling.
  • Perform secure code reviews (C, C++, Python) and failure-injection tests.
  • Validate Secure Boot and OTA systems for CE/GPSR compliance.
  • Prepare audit-ready technical files for certification labs.

See also:
Secure Boot Best Practices for Embedded Linux

The convergence of CRA, CE, and GPSR marks a new era for connected devices. Compliance is no longer optional—it’s essential for trust, safety, and market access.

Contact Epteck GmbH to prepare your product for audits, certifications, and long-term security.

FAQs — Top Search Queries Around CRA & CE Compliance

What’s the difference between CRA and CE compliance?

CRA focuses on cybersecurity and lifecycle resilience, while CE ensures safety, EMC, and hardware functionality. Most connected devices require both.

Who needs to comply with the Cyber Resilience Act?

Any manufacturer or importer of connected products—including IoT, smart appliances, industrial controllers, and embedded firmware developers.

What documentation is required for CRA?

Technical files, secure development documents, risk assessments, vulnerability tests, and lifecycle update logs.

Can one company handle both CE and CRA documentation?

Yes. Epteck GmbH provides end-to-end services across cybersecurity, compliance, and audit documentation.

What’s the timeline for CRA enforcement?

The EU CRA is expected to apply fully by 2027, with earlier deadlines for critical sectors.

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