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Purpose of Technical Documentation for Software Under CRA (Annex VII)

The Technical Documentation required by the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) is the central pillar of your compliance argument. Its purpose is to provide a comprehensive, organized file demonstrating how your app, game, or software component meets the essential cybersecurity requirements.

Your Evidence File​

Think of the Technical Documentation as the complete evidence file for your product. Article 31 of the CRA states it must "contain all relevant data or details of the means used by the manufacturer to ensure that the product... and the processes... comply with the essential cybersecurity requirements set out in Annex I". It’s the "how" and "why" behind your claim of conformity.

For Authorities, Not Customers​

This documentation is primarily for market surveillance authorities. If they ever question your product's compliance, this is the first thing they will ask for. It needs to be clear, detailed, and convincing enough to show you've done your due diligence.

Key Functions​

  1. Demonstrates Compliance: It provides the proof to back up your EU Declaration of Conformity and your use of the CE marking.
  2. Enables Assessment: It allows authorities (or a notified body, if applicable) to assess whether your software and processes are truly compliant.
  3. Ensures Accountability: It creates a formal record of your design, development, security, and vulnerability management choices.

The CRA specifies the minimum content for this documentation in Annex VII, ensuring a consistent baseline of information is available for oversight across the EU.

Key Takeway​

The Technical Documentation is your comprehensive evidence file, mandated by Article 31 and detailed in Annex VII of the CRA. Its purpose is to prove to authorities that your software and your security processes meet all applicable essential requirements.