---
title: "CRA FAQ Hub"
canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq"
source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/items/page/6"
author: "Sorena AI"
description: "Browse the CRA FAQ hub for Blue Guide market-access concepts, CE marking, and component due diligence."
published_at: "2026-03-10"
updated_at: "2026-03-10"
keywords:
  - "CRA FAQ hub"
  - "Cyber Resilience Act FAQ"
  - "CRA Blue Guide"
  - "CRA CE marking FAQ"
  - "CRA component due diligence FAQ"
  - "Cyber Resilience Act"
  - "CRA FAQ"
  - "CE marking"
  - "Blue Guide"
  - "component due diligence"
---
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---

# CRA FAQ Hub

Browse the CRA FAQ hub for Blue Guide market-access concepts, CE marking, and component due diligence.

*FAQ Hub* *EU* *Cyber Resilience Act*

## EU Cyber Resilience Act FAQ

Browse focused CRA FAQ modules built around the questions that usually slow market access, product launch, conformity work, and component governance.

Each sub-FAQ is grounded in official sources and designed for legal, compliance, product, engineering, and security teams.

Use this FAQ hub when the general CRA page is too broad and you need a tighter answer set. The sub-FAQs below group high-friction questions into practical modules so teams can move faster on interpretation, evidence design, and release decisions without losing source traceability.

## Browse sub-FAQ modules

### [CRA Blue Guide Concepts FAQ | Placing on the Market, Making Available, Distance Sales](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/blue-guide-concepts.md)

CRA FAQ on Blue Guide concepts used in Cyber Resilience Act interpretation: placing on the market, making available, putting into service, online sales.

- 28 items

### [CRA CE Marking FAQ | Meaning, Placement Rules, Software Labeling, Notified Bodies](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/ce-marking.md)

CRA CE marking FAQ covering what the mark means, when it is mandatory, software and website placement rules, packaging fallback, notified body numbers.

- 26 items

### [CRA Component Due Diligence FAQ | Third-Party Components, FOSS, SBOM, Vulnerabilities](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/component-due-diligence.md)

CRA component due diligence FAQ covering third-party components, FOSS, CE-marked components, SBOM review, risk-based checks, upstream vulnerability reporting.

- 21 items

### [CRA Conformity Assessment Routes FAQ | Module A, Module B+C, Module H, Critical and Important Products](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/conformity-assessment-routes.md)

CRA FAQ on conformity assessment routes covering module A, module B+C, module H, important and critical products, harmonised standards, certification schemes.

- 25 items

### [CRA Core Functionality FAQ | Important Products, Critical Products, Classification](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)

CRA FAQ on core functionality covering classification of important and critical products, ancillary functions, integrated components.

- 21 items

### [CRA Cybersecurity Risk Assessment FAQ | Article 13, Threat Modelling, Variants, Constraints](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/cybersecurity-risk-assessment.md)

CRA FAQ on cybersecurity risk assessment covering Article 13, threat modelling, intended purpose, foreseeable misuse, external dependencies, documentation.

- 26 items

### [CRA Declaration of Conformity FAQ | Full vs Simplified, Languages, Updates, Duties](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/declaration-of-conformity.md)

CRA FAQ on the EU declaration of conformity covering full and simplified formats, required contents, languages, updates, single declarations across EU laws.

- 19 items

### [CRA Economic Operators FAQ | Manufacturers, Importers, Distributors, Authorised Representatives](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/economic-operators.md)

CRA FAQ on economic operators covering manufacturer, authorised representative, importer, distributor, responsible operator rules, checks, traceability.

- 26 items

### [CRA Essential Cybersecurity Requirements FAQ | Annex I Part I and Part II](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/essential-cybersecurity-requirements.md)

CRA FAQ on the essential cybersecurity requirements covering Annex I Part I and Part II, applicability, evidence, interoperability constraints.

- 20 items

### [CRA Hardware and Software Boundaries FAQ | Product Scope, Combined Products, Source Code](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/hardware-software-boundaries.md)

CRA FAQ on hardware and software boundaries covering combined products, standalone software, source code, companion apps, remote data processing.

- 26 items

### [CRA Harmonised Standards and Common Specifications FAQ | Presumption of Conformity, OJ Publication](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/harmonised-standards-and-common-specifications.md)

CRA FAQ on harmonised standards, common specifications, and certification schemes covering presumption of conformity, Official Journal publication.

- 24 items

### [CRA Important and Critical Products FAQ | Annex III, Annex IV, Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/important-and-critical-products.md)

CRA FAQ on important and critical products covering Annex III and Annex IV classification, core functionality, conformity routes, FOSS rule limits.

- 30 items

### [CRA Integrated Components and Dependencies FAQ | Due Diligence, RDPS, Third-Party Components](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/integrated-components-and-dependencies.md)

CRA FAQ on integrated components and dependencies covering due diligence, third-party components, RDPS, cloud dependencies, upstream fixes, FOSS dependencies.

- 21 items

### [CRA Interplay With Other EU Laws FAQ | RED, AI Act, GDPR, Data Act, EHDS, Machinery](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/interplay-with-other-eu-laws.md)

CRA FAQ on interplay with other EU laws covering exclusions, overlap with RED, AI Act, GDPR, Data Act, EHDS, Machinery, GPSR, NIS2, aviation, marine.

- 25 items

### [CRA Known Exploitable Vulnerabilities at Launch FAQ | Placement on the Market, CVEs, Late Discoveries](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/known-exploitable-vulnerabilities-at-launch.md)

CRA FAQ on known exploitable vulnerabilities at launch covering the launch-time rule, exploitability, known vulnerabilities, CVEs, compensating controls.

- 18 items

### [CRA Legacy Products FAQ | Pre-2027 Products, Reporting, Grandfathering, Substantial Modification](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/legacy-products.md)

CRA FAQ on legacy products covering pre-11 December 2027 products, Article 14 reporting, continued sale, substantial modification, spare parts, old designs.

- 21 items

### [CRA Manufacturer Obligations FAQ | Article 13 Duties, Support Period, Reporting, Documentation](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/manufacturer-obligations.md)

CRA FAQ on manufacturer obligations covering Article 13 duties, risk assessment, support periods, vulnerability handling, reporting, documentation.

- 41 items

### [CRA Market Surveillance and Enforcement FAQ | Authorities, Safeguards, Sweeps, Formal Non-Compliance](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/market-surveillance-and-enforcement.md)

CRA FAQ on market surveillance and enforcement covering authorities, investigations, safeguard procedures, formal non-compliance, sweeps, joint activities.

- 39 items

### [CRA Module A FAQ | Internal Control, Self-Assessment, Eligibility, Documentation](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/module-a.md)

CRA FAQ on module A covering internal control, eligible products, class I limits, FOSS exception, technical documentation, testing, CE marking.

- 28 items

### [CRA Module B+C FAQ | EU-Type Examination, Conformity to Type, Notified Bodies](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/module-b-c.md)

CRA FAQ on module B+C covering EU-type examination, conformity to type, notified-body role, certificate changes, production control, CE marking.

- 32 items

### [CRA Module H FAQ | Full Quality Assurance, Notified Body Surveillance, CE Marking](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/module-h.md)

CRA FAQ on module H covering full quality assurance, quality-system approval, notified-body surveillance, scope changes, CE marking, language rules, records.

- 31 items

### [CRA Notified Bodies FAQ | Notification, Scope, NANDO, Independence, Competence](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/notified-bodies.md)

CRA FAQ on notified bodies covering notification, competence, independence, NANDO scope, accreditation, cross-border choice, subcontracting.

- 35 items

### [CRA Open-Source Software FAQ | FOSS, Commercial Activity, Stewards, Donations, Paid Editions](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/open-source-software.md)

CRA FAQ on open-source software covering FOSS qualification, commercial activity, donations, paid support, stewards, contributors, repositories.

- 39 items

### [CRA Over-the-Air Updates FAQ | OTA, Automatic Updates, Secure Distribution, Offline Paths](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/over-the-air-updates.md)

CRA FAQ on over-the-air updates covering OTA versus automatic updates, secure distribution, screenless products, gateways, offline update paths.

- 25 items

### [CRA Penalties and Fines FAQ | Fine Tiers, Turnover Caps, SME Carve-Outs, Stewards](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/penalties-and-fines.md)

CRA FAQ on penalties and fines covering Article 64 fine tiers, turnover caps, SME carve-outs, steward exemptions, cumulative fines, criminal sanctions.

- 23 items

### [CRA Product Families FAQ | Variants, Shared Assessments, Family Reuse, Conformity Scope](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/product-families.md)

CRA FAQ on product families covering shared risk assessments, family-wide documentation reuse, cybersecurity-relevant variant differences.

- 16 items

### [CRA Remote Data Processing Solutions FAQ | RDPS Scope, Cloud Services, SaaS Boundaries, Documentation](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/remote-data-processing-solutions.md)

CRA FAQ on remote data processing solutions covering Article 3(2) RDPS tests, cloud-service boundaries, websites and portals, third-party SaaS, backend scope.

- 21 items

### [CRA Repairs and Spare Parts FAQ | Repairs, Refurbishment, Spare-Part Exemption, Compatibility](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/repairs-and-spare-parts.md)

CRA FAQ on repairs and spare parts covering substantial modification, Article 2(6) identical spare parts, non-identical replacements.

- 18 items

### [CRA Reporting Obligations FAQ | Article 14 Deadlines, CSIRT Filing, User Notices, Legacy Products](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/reporting-obligations.md)

CRA FAQ on reporting obligations covering Article 14 deadlines, actively exploited vulnerabilities, severe incidents, CSIRT routing, user notifications.

- 35 items

### [CRA Scope FAQ | Products with Digital Elements, Connections, Software, Exclusions](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/scope-and-products-with-digital-elements.md)

CRA FAQ on scope and products with digital elements covering software, firmware, components, direct and indirect connections, offline products, exclusions.

- 30 items

### [CRA Secure-by-Default FAQ | Default Configuration, Auto Updates, Tailor-Made Limits](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/secure-by-default.md)

CRA FAQ on secure by default covering Annex I default configuration, automatic security updates, opt-outs, components, inapplicability.

- 18 items

### [CRA Security Updates vs Functionality Updates FAQ | Separation, Free Updates, Article 13(10)](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/security-updates-vs-functionality-updates.md)

CRA FAQ on security updates versus functionality updates covering separation where technically feasible, free security updates, automatic updates.

- 24 items

### [CRA Substantial Modification FAQ | Post-Market Changes, New Manufacturer, Legacy Products](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/substantial-modification.md)

CRA FAQ on substantial modification covering Article 3(30), software updates, repairs, new manufacturer status, conformity reassessment.

- 27 items

### [CRA Support Period FAQ | Placement on the Market, Unit-Level Timing, Update Availability](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/support-period.md)

CRA FAQ on support periods covering Article 13(8), placement on the market timing, unit-level support periods, standalone software, update availability.

- 71 items

### [CRA Tailor-Made Products FAQ | Business-User Exception, Paid Updates, Evidence](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/tailor-made-products.md)

CRA FAQ on tailor-made products covering the narrow business-user carve-out, secure-by-default and paid-update deviations, required evidence.

- 17 items

### [CRA Technical Documentation FAQ | Annex VII, Languages, Authority Access, Updates](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/technical-documentation.md)

CRA FAQ on technical documentation covering Annex VII content, timing, languages, versioning, authority access, reused documentation, simplified formats.

- 21 items

### [CRA Transition Period FAQ | Key Dates, Legacy Products, Pre-CRA Stock, RED Interplay](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/transition-period.md)

CRA FAQ on the transition period covering entry into force, phased application dates, legacy products, stock and customs timing, standalone software.

- 23 items

### [CRA Update Availability and Archives FAQ | Article 13(9), Archives, Historical Versions](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/update-availability-and-archives.md)

CRA FAQ on update availability and software archives covering Article 13(9), Article 13(10), Article 13(11), retention of issued security updates.

- 24 items

### [CRA User Information and Transparency FAQ | Annex II, Support Disclosure, User Notices](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/user-information-and-transparency.md)

CRA FAQ on user information and transparency covering Annex II instructions, support-period disclosure, end-of-support notices, vulnerability notices.

- 28 items

### [CRA Vulnerability Handling FAQ | Lifecycle Duties, Components, Disclosure, Fix Sharing](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/vulnerability-handling.md)

CRA FAQ on vulnerability handling covering Annex I Part II duties, component vulnerabilities, upstream reporting and fix sharing.

- 29 items

Browse all indexed questions: [/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/items](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/items.md)

## All FAQ items

*Page 6 of 54. Showing 20 of 1072 items.*

### [What is "core functionality" under the CRA?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#what-is-core-functionality-under-the-cra)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

The CRA does not define the term expressly in the regulation itself, but the draft Commission guidance explains it as the product's main features and technical capabilities, without which it would not be able to meet its intended purpose.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 123 and 124

### [Why does core functionality matter under the CRA?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#why-does-core-functionality-matter-under-the-cra)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

It determines whether the product is in the default category, is an important product of class I or class II, or is a critical product, and therefore which conformity assessment regime applies.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7(1), Article 8(1) and Article 32
- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - section 3.1
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 122 and 123

### [How should a manufacturer determine a product's core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#how-should-a-manufacturer-determine-a-products-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

The draft Commission guidance says the manufacturer should assess the product's main features and technical capabilities in light of its intended purpose, specific context and conditions of use.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 124
- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 3(23), Article 3(24) and Annex VII

### [Is core functionality about the whole product or about one component inside it?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#is-core-functionality-about-the-whole-product-or-about-one-component-inside-it)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

It is about the product as a whole.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7(1)
- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.1 and 3.2
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 123 and 136

### [Can a product perform many functions but still have only one core functionality for CRA classification?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#can-a-product-perform-many-functions-but-still-have-only-one-core-functionality-for-cra-classification)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Yes.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 125 and 128

### [Do additional or ancillary functions automatically change the CRA core-functionality classification?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#do-additional-or-ancillary-functions-automatically-change-the-cra-core-functionality-classification)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - section 3.4
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 125 and 131

### [If a product can perform the functions of an important or critical category, does that automatically mean it has that core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#if-a-product-can-perform-the-functions-of-an-important-or-critical-category-does-that-automatically-mean-it-has-that-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - section 3.4
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 126 and 127

### [If a product integrates an operating system, browser, firewall or secure element, does that decide the product's own core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#if-a-product-integrates-an-operating-system-browser-firewall-or-secure-element-does-that-decide-the-products-own-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7(1)
- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.2 and 3.4
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 126 and 136

### [Can a product fall outside a listed category because it goes beyond that category's core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#can-a-product-fall-outside-a-listed-category-because-it-goes-beyond-that-categorys-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Yes.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - section 3.4
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 127 and Example 50

### [Can a product fall outside a listed category because it falls short of that category's core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#can-a-product-fall-outside-a-listed-category-because-it-falls-short-of-that-categorys-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Yes.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 127 and Example 51

### [Are partial similarities in domain, purpose or deployment context enough to classify a product as important or critical?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#are-partial-similarities-in-domain-purpose-or-deployment-context-enough-to-classify-a-product-as-important-or-critical)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 127

### [Must the manufacturer document the chosen core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#must-the-manufacturer-document-the-chosen-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Yes.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 128
- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Annex VII and Annex V

### [Can a manufacturer describe the product strategically to avoid being classified as important or critical?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#can-a-manufacturer-describe-the-product-strategically-to-avoid-being-classified-as-important-or-critical)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 129

### [Does core functionality determine only the conformity route, or also the scope of compliance?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#does-core-functionality-determine-only-the-conformity-route-or-also-the-scope-of-compliance)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

It determines the route, but the whole product still has to comply.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 13(2) to Article 13(4) and Article 32
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 131 and 134 to 136

### [If a harmonised standard covers the product's core functionality, does that automatically give full presumption of conformity for the whole product?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#if-a-harmonised-standard-covers-the-products-core-functionality-does-that-automatically-give-full-presumption-of-conformity-for-the-whole-product)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 27(1), Article 27(5) and Article 32(2)
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 133 to 139

### [What should manufacturers use as the main reference for deciding whether a product matches a listed CRA category by core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#what-should-manufacturers-use-as-the-main-reference-for-deciding-whether-a-product-matches-a-listed-cra-category-by-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

The Commission FAQ says the technical descriptions of the important and critical product categories are laid down in Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/2392, and the draft Commission guidance also relies on those descriptions.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.1 and 3.4
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - footnote 15 and Examples 48 to 53

### [What if a product's core functionality does not match any Annex III or Annex IV category?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#what-if-a-products-core-functionality-does-not-match-any-annex-iii-or-annex-iv-category)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Then it falls into the default category.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 7(1), Article 8(1) and Article 32(1)
- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.1 and 6.1
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 122 and footnote 16

### [Are product names, marketing labels, or sales positioning enough to determine core functionality?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#are-product-names-marketing-labels-or-sales-positioning-enough-to-determine-core-functionality)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.1 and 3.4
- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 3(23) and Annex VII
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - points 124, 127 and 129

### [Does use in a critical or sensitive environment by itself make a product important or critical?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#does-use-in-a-critical-or-sensitive-environment-by-itself-make-a-product-important-or-critical)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

No.

Sources for this answer:

- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - sections 3.1 and 3.3
- [Draft Commission guidance on the CRA (March 2026 draft)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/16959-Draft-Commission-guidance-on-the-Cyber-Resilience-Act_en?ref=sorena.io) - point 127

### [If two products have the same core functionality, can they still require different cybersecurity measures?](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md#if-two-products-have-the-same-core-functionality-can-they-still-require-different-cybersecurity-measures)

*Module: [CRA Core Functionality](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/core-functionality.md)*

Yes.

Sources for this answer:

- [Cyber Resilience Act](https://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/2847/oj?ref=sorena.io) - Article 13(2) and Article 13(3)
- [European Commission CRA FAQs (January 2026)](https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/redirection/document/122331?ref=sorena.io) - section 3.3

## FAQ Pagination

- Canonical index (page 1): [/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/items](/artifacts/eu/cyber-resilience-act/faq/items.md)
- Page 1 rule: `/page/1` is intentionally not generated; use the canonical index markdown URL.
- Current page: 6 of 54

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*Recommended next step*

*Placement: after the FAQ section*

## Use the CRA FAQ hub as a cited research workflow

Research Copilot can turn recurring CRA interpretation questions into a reusable workflow tied to your products, evidence, and owners.

- [Open Research Copilot](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Answer CRA scope, conformity, CE marking, and component questions with cited outputs.
- [Talk through your CRA rollout](/contact.md): Review product decisions, evidence gaps, and launch blockers with the Sorena team.


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