Cyber Resilience Act - latest updates from the European Commission 

Yesterday the EC Policy team gave an update on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) which is set to become the latest cyber security regulation to govern connected products. Points to note are:

In general the CRA is a new set of cybersecurity rules for placing of products on the EU - it will expand on RED requirements (coming into force Aug 1st 2025) by massively increasing the range of products that fall into its scope - products with "Digital Elements" will include software products, apps, and remote data processing solutions as well as hardware. Another key element is that the CRA is centred around the premise that compliance is maintained throughout the product lifetime.

CRA will come into force in two stages which are:

To prepare for CRA - SafeShark is providing product testing against the EC mapping for current standards e.g. EN 303 645 and EN 18031, that can already provide a level of conformity for CRA - helping you get ahead of the legislation.

SafeShark also provides straightforward PSTI and RED compliance testing, that allows you to quickly prove your consumer electronic product is ready for UK or EU market access in order to meet the 1st Aug deadline. Get in touch to find out more from our experts.

IoT cyber security standards finally approved (nearly)

The new EN 18031 set of standards which are needed to demonstrate conformity to the upcoming IoT cyber security laws in RED, have finally been cited (with restrictions) in the OJEU* meaning that they can go a long way to provide a presumption of conformity to the RED cyber security articles 3.3 d, e, and f once the product has been tested against them.

This comes after months of discussions between the EC and standards body CEN/CENELEC whose industry working groups (which includes SafeShark), created the standards.

However, not all the comments that the EC raised as concerns regarding the EN 18031 standards could be resolved during the discussions which means the standards have some restrictions and cannot fully be taken as providing conformity depending on the product.

These restrictions relate to categories such as password strengths, parental or guardian access controls, and in the case of 18031-3 for products that support financial transactions, assessment criteria of secure updates. The full details of the implementation decision can be read here.

As such, a Notified Body will be required to sign off any elements of the product test results that relate to the restrictions, which in the case of 18031-3 will be likely mean all products.

For 18031-1 and 18031-2 it will be required to check whether the restrictions apply to the product under test and therefore whether a Notified Body assessment will be required.

SafeShark can test all the EN 18031 standards at our Central London test lab and works with Notified Body KL Certification to provide you with clear and accurate guidance as to whether Notified Body certification is required.

Due to our unique automated cyber security test platform, templates for completing pre-test information, example documents for a typical IoT device, and detailed knowledge of the standards, our test service is fast, efficient, and cost effective.

Book your product in for testing today and ensure you're ready for RED cyber security which comes into effect on the 1st Aug 2025

*The OJEU is the Official Journal of the EU which is essentially an index of standards that can be tested against to demonstrate conformity to the various articles of RED which cover criteria such as health and safety, EMC, RF and spectrum, and from 1st Aug 2025 - cyber security

Calling all manufacturers – EU connected device consultation

Further to the political agreement reached by the co-legislators on the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), and pending its formal adoption and entry into force, the European Commission is currently taking preparatory steps for the CRA implementation. This includes initial informal consultations and a series of virtual events for manufacturers.

This is without prejudice to the formal consultation that will take place later in the process. These informal exchanges would, in particular, focus to identify any specificities regarding certain product category that should be addressed by the definition to provide manufacturers with legal certainty allowing them to understand whether the products they place on the market fall into the categories set out in Annex III and Annex IV of the CRA.

More information, timings and registration here.

SafeShark Exposes Alarming Non-compliance Rates in Connected Consumer Devices

Following this week’s conformance deadline (April 29th), SafeShark, the leading authority in connected product testing, has conducted analysis of more than 100 connected consumer devices currently on the market. The results show that a staggering three-quarters of these devices are still not compliant with the legal requirements set out in the Product Security and Telecoms Infrastructure Act.

SafeShark's testing revealed the concerning statistic that 92 of the 124 products (74%) we have checked in the past 24 hours fail to meet the necessary requirements. Plus,

The findings underscore the urgent need for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors to prioritise compliance to ensure consumer safety and satisfaction.

Non-compliance carries potentially severe penalties, including withdrawal from UK market access and fines of £10m or 4% of global turnover, whichever is higher. That’s before any legal repercussions or damage to brand reputation. As consumers increasingly rely on connected devices in their daily lives, it is imperative for businesses to uphold the standards of quality and safety set out in the legislation as a minimum.

Commenting on the results, SafeShark Director Alex Buchan said: "The level of non-compliance we've uncovered is deeply concerning. It's clear that many manufacturers are falling short in meeting the essential requirements for connected consumer devices. The legislation provides businesses with explicit guidance on what compliance entails, and the OPSS can enforce stringent penalties against companies that fail to adhere to these regulations. We urge all stakeholders in the industry to take immediate action to address these issues."

SafeShark stands ready to assist manufacturers, retailers, and distributors in navigating the complexities of compliance and ensuring their products meet the necessary standards. By partnering with SafeShark, businesses can streamline their compliance journey and safeguard their reputation in the marketplace.

For more information on SafeShark's testing services and how we can help your business achieve compliance please contact our team directly.

UPDATED! UK and EU Cyber Security Legislation for Connected Devices

UPDATED: Our exclusive walkthrough of connected device legislation, which affects all connected products on the UK and EU markets, has been updated ahead of the April 29th deadline.

Get your copy now which:

From the requirements on all parts of the chain, to the criteria and standards you need to meet, we break down the issues in simple, straightforward language and outline the actions and solutions you need to put in place today.

Get it here

Beko selects SafeShark as ‘clear choice’ for compliance partner

Beko is the latest brand to demonstrate its connected device compliance using SafeShark’s proprietary PSTI testing – the quick, simple way to prove products are in line with legislation before the April 29th conformance deadline.

“Working with SafeShark has been a great experience for us at Beko,” said Arcelik Head of IoT Security Çağatay Büyüktopçu.  “As pioneers in IoT Cyber Security, ensuring compliance with PSTI is paramount for our business. SafeShark's dedication to device security aligns perfectly with our values, and their 'as-a-service' model provides us with the peace of mind for ongoing and continuous compliance.”

“From the outset, their agility and enthusiasm for IoT security stood out, making them the clear choice for our strategic partnership. SafeShark's fast response times, flexibility, and excellent communication have made them a trusted ally in securing our IoT products in line with the new legislation. We wholeheartedly recommend SafeShark to any organisation seeking a reliable and efficient compliance partner for connected devices.”

Manufacturers, distributors and retailers now have less than two months to ensure all connected consumer devices they sell meet the new legislative requirements. From April 29th this year they risk fines of up to £10m or 4% of global turnover (whichever is larger) and losing access to the UK market.

SafeShark’s quick, simple testing service ensures that won’t happen, issuing the government-mandated Statement of Compliance that must stay with the product throughout every stage of the distribution chain. Plus, thanks to our ongoing monitoring service, we can ensure that compliance throughout the lifetime of the product.

Beko is just one of the international brands passing their compliance burden to us to take care of, including the likes of LG, Philips, Lutron, Panasonic and many more.

Get in touch today and talk to one of our experts who can help determine if you’re in scope and what your next steps need to be.

Connected devices MUST comply from April 29th

On April 29th 2024, the UK will make history as the first country in the world to introduce ground-breaking protections for consumers using connectable devices, from smart phones and games consoles to smart doorbells, connected appliances and home systems.   

The regulatory regime, introduced through the Product Security and Telecommunications Infrastructure Act (PSTI) 2022 and the PSTI Regulations 2023, will position the UK as the global pioneer in enforcing new minimum cyber security standards, signalling a substantial leap forward in consumer protection. 

The Act and Regulations introduce a raft of new, common-sense protections like eliminating universal and easily guessable default passwords, providing a way to report issues to the manufacturers and ensuring manufacturers are transparent about how long a product will receive security updates.  Manufacturers, retailers and importers of smart devices must now ensure they comply with the law and all products must carry a ‘Statement of Compliance’ at all stages of the supply chain.

Unsure if your company or your products are in scope? Need help from the experts to guarantee your compliance and continued access to the UK market? Want to avoid a £10m penalty (or 4% of global turnover whichever is greater) if you aren’t compliant after April 29th? Get in touch today and we can help immediately with a free call with one of our dedicated experts.

Recording: DSIT and OPSS enforcement update

In this SafeShark webinar with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), and the Office for Product Safety & Standards (OPSS) - the enforcement authority responsible for ensuring compliance with the PSTI regulations on behalf of DSIT - we asked those responsible for shaping the legislation, driving device safety and enforcing compliance to answer your questions.

Watch the recording of this insightful and lively session below.

The government-mandated deadline for compliance is April 29th 2024, with potential enforcement action including fines for those that fail to act set at £10million or 4% of global turnover – whichever is greater.

So, if you manufacture a consumer device that connects to the internet, or to other devices that connect to the internet (both wired and wireless), you need to act now. And SafeShark is here to help.

Unprotected connected devices enabling abuse say MPs

MPs from the Culture, Media and Sport Committee have called on the government to tackle the use of connected home devices as abuse enablers.

The committee heard evidence that the ‘vast majority” of domestic abuse cases now feature a cyber element, with unprotected smart devices – such as cameras, smart speakers or baby monitors – being used by malicious actors to capture recordings of victims and to harass them.

It also identified children as particularly in need of protection, both from abuse and from having their data and personal information exploited.

It is why the Government introduced the Product Security and Telecommunications Bill, which requires all businesses involved in the supply chains of connectable products to be compliant with a new security regime from 29th April 2024. 

Failure to comply with the requirements could result in products not being able to access the UK market and/or fines impacting global turnover.

This is in addition to EU market access requirements which are coming in via the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

SafeShark’s testing and certification service backed by the British Standards Institute (BSI) is the only complete one-stop route to compliance for both the UK and EU markets and trusted my major international brands. To find out more and start your compliance get in touch today.

Book a call back:

‘Smart’ is a major driver for those looking to move

A survey, carried out by Samsung, of 1,000 adults looking to move home in the next five years, combined with Google search trends analysis between March 2022 and March 2023, has shown that Smart is a key criteria for those looking for their next home.

A third of respondents would be much more likely to buy or rent a smart home (and pay up to 6.5% more for one) with a further third saying they would look to retrofit smart technology afterwards. A huge 86% said that ‘smart’ would be a consideration when selecting their next property.

The boom in demand and proliferation of devices and systems is, in part, what has driven the introduction of the Product Security and Telecommunications Bill by UK Government.

The legislation affects every single connectable device on the UK market and the deadline for compliance has now been confirmed as April 29th 2024.

Failure to comply with the requirements could result in products not being able to access the UK market and/or fines impacting global turnover.

This is in addition to EU market access requirements which are coming in from the 1st of August 2024 via the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).

SafeShark’s testing and certification service provides an efficient and trusted one-stop route to compliance for both the UK and EU markets.

We have worked with NCSC and UK Government since the outset of the Secure By Design initiative and throughout the legislative process, are active in standards bodies writing the requirements that underpins the legislation – ETSI EN 303 645 and trusted by major brands such as LG who have certified their TV platforms via SafeShark.

To find out more and start your compliance get in touch today.