Strengthening the Digital Ecosystem: Effects of the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) on Open-Source Software

The European Union proposed the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) to enhance cybersecurity in digital products, including those utilizing open-source software (OSS). This paper examines the CRA's impact on the OSS community, supported by industry statistics and case studies. While the CRA sets stricter security requirements and fosters collaboration between commercial integrators and OSS developers, it also imposes burdens on smaller projects. We provide actionable recommendations for policymakers, such as implementing flexible compliance frameworks, establishing funding programs, and fostering public-private partnerships. The paper substantiates potential outcomes with data and quotes from the OSS community, highlighting economic realities and the need for future research. This research aims to help policymakers balance security goals with preserving OSS contributions' value.