Summary

The Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and feedback mechanisms in its development and implementation. This article outlines the provisions and processes through which stakeholders can provide input and feedback on the CRA, highlighting their crucial role in shaping and refining the legislation.

Relevant CRA Provisions

Detailed Explanation

The CRA recognizes the critical role of stakeholder engagement in developing effective cybersecurity regulations. It mandates the Commission to consult a wide range of stakeholders, including Member State authorities, private sector entities, the open-source software community, consumer associations, academia, and relevant Union agencies. This consultation is structured and regular, ensuring that diverse perspectives are considered in the legislative process.

Stakeholder consultations are particularly emphasized when preparing measures for the implementation of the CRA, assessing the need for updates to product categories, and evaluating the regulation. The Commission is required to organize regular consultation and information sessions, at least once a year, to gather stakeholder views on the implementation of the CRA.

Obligations for Stakeholders

  • Open-source software stewards: Must establish and document a cybersecurity policy to foster secure product development and effective vulnerability handling. They must cooperate with market surveillance authorities to mitigate cybersecurity risks and provide necessary documentation upon request.
  • Market surveillance authorities: Responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of the CRA, including supervising open-source software stewards’ obligations. They must cooperate with national cybersecurity certification authorities, CSIRTs, and ENISA, and provide guidance and advice to economic operators.
  • Manufacturers: Required to implement coordinated vulnerability disclosure policies to facilitate the reporting and remediation of vulnerabilities. They should consider publishing security policies in machine-readable formats and may use bug bounty programs to incentivize vulnerability reporting.
  • Member States: Must undertake actions to support microenterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises, including awareness-raising, training, and establishing regulatory sandboxes for testing innovative products.