If solid materials are subjected to mechanical stress or electrical excitation, they deform and begin to vibrate to a greater or lesser extent. These vibrations depend on the shape, the material, the excitation and many other factors. Laser vibrometers are used to measure and analyze the vibrations without contact. These are used to evaluate different design variants during development and to optimize products. However, deviations in vibration behavior can also indicate faults in the product during production.

Range of application of laser vibrometry

In vibroacoustic quality testing, a laser Doppler vibrometer scans objects for vibrations precisely and without contact on practically all surfaces (image above). Measurement data such as frequency response and resonance frequency, impulse response and data on damping properties are obtained. The optical measurement with laser light produces a map of the amplitude distribution of the vibrations without influencing the measurement object, e.g. through contact or mass loading (as with accelerometers). The method is suitable for almost any vibration-related problem in research, development, production and condition monitoring or quality assurance and for objects of different sizes: from entire car bodies, large aerospace parts, motors and actuators to micro components such as MEMS or biomedical samples and components in the micrometer range. Depending on the task and sensor design, vibrations up to the GHz range can be detected or, as with the new VibroScan for surface scanning, frequencies up to 32 MHz can be recorded fully digitally.

Optimize desired oscillations

Vibrations are not undesirable everywhere. We all appreciate the vibrating alarm in cell phones or use electric toothbrushes. In many applications, it is important to find the best product design so that vibrations fulfill their purpose optimally. This is where scanning vibrometers are used, which create an areal vibration analysis. Applications in industry include vibrating conveyors or control and operating panels. High-quality packaging systems and industrial joining processes that use ultrasonic welding can also be developed more quickly or checked and optimized during operation with the help of a vibration analysis. Another application is the "vibration transport" of liquid droplets, for example in medical analysis. However, vibration analysis is also a reliable method for developing high-quality products for consumer goods: The vibration of a loudspeaker membrane, which provides the sound of a loudspeaker box, can be analyzed and improved. There are also a large number of less obvious applications such as fans, computer housings, medical products and structure-borne noise and therefore vibrations also play a major role in production systems.

Minimize unwanted vibrations

Deviations in the vibrations of an object from the target specifications allow conclusions to be drawn about the smooth running of drives, manufacturing deviations in production, incipient bearing wear and many other faults. This is where vibrometry can be used inline for quality assurance. The prerequisite is that the sensor can detect and evaluate vibrations quickly and precisely and that the measuring system can be integrated into a production system as easily as possible. Polytec's vibrometers support various interfaces such as COM/DCOM, offer an internal macro language and provide an API for programming. The measurement data is usually transmitted via TCP/IP Ethernet. Polytec also offers extensive tools and examples to ensure smooth integration.

Measuring deviations, but where?

If vibration measurements are used for quality control, the following questions arise: Where can precise measuring points be found for reliable quality assurance in order to identify deviations and minimize rejects? Which conclusions can be drawn from which surface based on deviations? Laser Doppler vibrometers provide good indications here, even during the development of the intended test method: The best measuring points and surfaces can be found as early as the development stage to indicate the specific properties or possible defects through their vibration behavior. This allows measurements to be taken at a meaningful maximum amplitude point, which saves time during commissioning and ensures meaningful quality data on the products.

Improve signal-to-noise ratio

In practice, measuring surfaces are usually optically rough. This means that the light is not only reflected, but also scattered. It contains dark and light areas, so-called speckles. This effect leads to fluctuations in light intensity at the photodetector and, in optical measurements, to broadband noise and unwanted signal dropouts. Therefore, several measurements or a high number of averages are often necessary for a good result. Polytec solves this problem with QTec technology, which uses multiple photodetectors to drastically improve the signal-to-noise ratio. For this purpose, QTec vibrometers use an innovative multi-channel interferometer with receiver diversity. It bundles the best measured values from different perspectives and recombines them for a consistent measurement result. Each detector is an observer of the measuring point with its own perspective and sees its own random speckle pattern (image below). The combination of the signals from the spatially distributed detectors then automatically results in a statistically stable signal level for each individual measurement, regardless of the measuring surface. With this new method, measurements can be taken up to ten times faster, as one measurement is sufficient and no further averaging is required.

New measurement options

To measure both large and very small parts in the shortest possible time, RoboVib^® combines a fully automated experimental modal analysis with VibroScan QTec Xtra 3D. The scanning vibrometer is mounted on a robot arm and moved over the object, e.g. a vehicle body. This reduces the testing time, even for complex 3D components, from days or even weeks to just a few hours thanks to comprehensive 360° measurements. For smaller parts, RotoVib automates^® experimental whole-body modal analysis since 2024. Here, the test object rotates around its own axis on a turntable. Automatic repositioning allows the test object to be measured automatically from all sides. Thanks to the effortless set-up, users also save valuable measuring time here.

If measurements are to be taken through a layer of water for certain applications, the wavelength of the laser must be adapted to the water medium. Polytec's latest product, VibroScan QTec Neo, offers a HeNe laser in the measuring head whose wavelength is not absorbed by water. This means that sound field analyses of hydrophones (underwater microphones) or components of medical ultrasound applications can now be carried out under water for calibration purposes just as easily as in air. Here too, QTec technology drastically shortens the measurement time by minimizing dropouts.

On-site measurements, for example by a service provider, also require compact measuring devices that are easy to transport and install. The modern VibroScan systems for area measurement are on average around 50% smaller than the 1D predecessor models. This means that the measuring device can also travel as luggage, especially when traveling by air. AI functionality is also incorporated into the vibration measurement thanks to the associated PSV software (Polytec Scanning Vibrometer). This increases user-friendliness and reduces the set-up time for the measurement, for example through automatic object recognition and 3D adjustment. This also significantly reduces the amount of training required by the user.

Source and further information: Polytec

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/laservibrometrie-schwingungen-messen-von-der-produktentwicklung-bis-zur-qualitaetssicherung/

Artificial intelligence now supports the processes of DACH companies in a variety of ways. In collaboration with the Handelsblatt Research Institute (HRI), the digital consulting, solutions and software company valantic examined which use cases are particularly important for companies and what role industry affiliation plays in this. The results show that AI applications are already very popular with companies, particularly in quality control and automated data and document management. Supply chain optimization with AI is also an important field of application for many.

valantic and the HRI surveyed around 700 decision-makers from companies in Germany, Austria and Switzerland about the added value they are already achieving with the use of AI applications within their business processes (Applied AI). According to the survey, two out of three companies already report measurable benefits based on AI applications - for example in the form of efficiency gains, material and cost reductions or increases in sales and profitability. The study also looked at the question of how relevant these different use cases are.

Which use cases are particularly important?

As part of the survey, the client of the study differentiated between 14 use case clusters and asked the participants which of these application areas were most important for their own company. The following five clusters were given the highest relevance by the respondents:

1. Quality control: Identify defects and ensure product quality by means of visual or other sensory inspections.
2. Document and data management: Extract, process and manage information from documents and data records in large quantities, automatically and in high quality.
3. Optimization of the supply chain: e.g. precise demand forecasting, optimization of delivery routes, reduction of inventory, optimized production and logistics planning.
4. Robotics & Smart Products: Automation of product functions; interaction of sensor technology, control and logic for autonomous functioning and optimization of hardware products.
5. Automation in customer service: chatbots and virtual assistants for processing customer inquiries and providing support.

AI-supported creation of media content still less relevant

While the top 5 AI use cases were each named as the most important for their own company by around a third of those surveyed, C-level decision-makers still attach comparatively little importance to the classic use cases of generative AI. For example, the generation of creative content (images, text, sound or video) was only one of the most important areas of application for AI applications in their own company for just under one in five (19%).

Another finding of the study is that the areas of application that are assigned the highest relevance for AI applications vary depending on the sector to which the companies belong. For example, companies from industrial sectors such as automotive, beverage and food production or manufacturing generally attach great importance to quality control using AI, while in the healthcare and pharmaceuticals sector, most decision-makers cite document and data management as an important use case. The most frequently cited use case in the retail and consumer goods sector is supply chain optimization. In contrast, purchasing and sales are extremely important for utilities companies, with many respondents naming price optimization as an important application.

Laurenz Kirchner, Managing Director and Data & AI Practice Lead at valantic, says: "Our study shows that AI is no longer a vision of the future, but is actively used in many companies. For many companies, the focus is shifting to the question of which areas of application offer the greatest benefits in their own company. Decision-makers need to prioritize use cases with real added value and strategically anchor AI initiatives. Without clear goals, prioritization and integration into the corporate strategy, there will be no added value."

Source: valantic

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/qualitaetskontrolle-datenverwaltung-und-lieferkette-als-wichtigste-ki-use-cases/

As an experienced board member and entrepreneur, Bührer Fecker brings in-depth knowledge in the development of new business models as well as a deep understanding of consumers and social trends. Her perspective will help Tibits to remain innovative in the future and take advantage of new opportunities in the growing market for plant-based nutrition.

"We are delighted to have Regula Bührer Fecker, an outstanding personality, on board. Her experience and flair for contemporary developments are of great value to Tibits, especially at a time when sustainable nutrition and conscious consumption are becoming increasingly important," says Daniel Frei, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tibits.

In the following interview, Regula Bührer Fecker talks about her new position on the Board of Directors, her perspective on the Tibits brand and the opportunities for companies in the field of sustainable gastronomy.

 

m&k: Regula Bührer Fecker, you are a new member of the Tibits Board of Directors. What motivated you to take a seat there?

The vision of Tibits has inspired me since it was founded: to make vegetarian and vegan food not only widely available, but also enjoyable and natural. I am delighted to be able to help shape this mission with my colleagues on the Board of Directors in the future.

 

What challenges can you help with in word and deed?

With everything that keeps Tibits busy. The task will be very varied and exciting.

 

You have been shaping the Swiss advertising industry for decades. What motivated you to take the path of communication strategy?

When I started working in advertising, I didn't even know that "strategy" existed as a discipline in its own right. Even at one of my first employers - Jung von Matt, then still "Honegger von Matt" - there were no dedicated strategists around the year 2000. It was consultants with an affinity for strategy who developed briefings, concepts and presentations. It was precisely this part that fascinated me from the very beginning. So I focused on it: I trained further, gained experience abroad and consistently deepened my strategic thinking.

 

Your approach is based on human insights and innovative concepts. How do you find the balance between creative innovation and the need to address target groups effectively?

It is clear to me that relevance for the target group is non-negotiable. That's where the scope for creativity lies, like we reach people. Innovation often arises when we take a close look at what really moves people - and then find a surprising, new way to respond.

 

In your career, you have supported numerous companies - from start-ups to large corporations. What challenges do you see in developing communication strategies for different company sizes?

I like switching between worlds - but it requires empathy and adaptability. You always have to rethink yourself: the culture, the resources, the objectives. There are always competitors with bigger budgets or sectors with louder voices. My job is to show organizations how much they can achieve with their resources - and how courage can multiply these resources.

 

You are described as one of the most astute and creative advertisers in Switzerland. What qualities do you think are crucial for success in the industry?

The courage to get to the heart of the matter, to trust your own opinion and to expose yourself. Without buckling at the first headwind.

 

You repeatedly emphasize the aspect of humanity in communication. How do you define this term - and why is it so important for the success of brands?

Humanity means triggering resonance. The best campaigns touch us - they strike a chord within us. This requires a keen sense for the zeitgeist and nuances, for real needs.

 

Your work often involves supporting transformation processes in companies. What role does communication play in successful change?

A central one. Change triggers uncertainty - good communication can provide orientation, create trust and release energy. If it is honest, clear and close to people, it becomes a lever for real change.

 

Your company, La Stratégisteis known for its customized solutions. Can you give us an example of a particularly challenging project?

No, it's still too early. I started two months ago.

 

You are celebrated as a role model for young women in the industry. What role does mentoring play in your work and how do you promote young talent?

Thank you very much for your kind words. I think I'm good at listening and getting to the heart of things, even if it hurts sometimes. Once this point has been overcome, it's about thinking together about solutions that suit the other person and the challenge.

 

You have a keen sense for social trends. What trends do you see in the communications industry that companies should take into account in the coming years?

Many companies are stuck in a performance corset - everything is geared towards short-term KPIs and the money is tied up too much in Silicon Valley. As a result, long-term brand development and the connection to the Swiss public fall by the wayside. I believe that Swiss advertisers urgently need a new balance between performance and local relevance. And more self-confidence and courage again.

 

What are the values that you live by every day at "La Stratégiste" and incorporate into your work - and how are these reflected in the projects?

It makes me happy when customers say goodbye and tell me that we were able to solve something together and that my contribution has helped them noticeably.

Jung von Matt Impact joins Zurich agency The Generation Media. The move marks the continuation of a collaboration that has grown over the years and has already seen over ten joint client mandates. The two agencies bring different strengths to the table: Jung von Matt Impact stands for digital marketing solutions, while The Generation Media pursues a broad all-media approach.

The merger will enable customers to benefit from cross-channel consulting and implementation - from social media, display and video to traditional media and performance marketing. The 27 specialists involved will continue to work in well-coordinated teams at two locations.

As part of the investment, Jung von Matt Impact is acquiring shares in The Generation Media. However, the two agencies will retain their "boutique character" and their operational structures, as stated in the joint press release. Matthias Städeli will become Managing Director of The Generation Media, Petra Kreussler will remain President of the Board of Directors.

"Like The Generation Media, Jung von Matt Impact is fully committed to customer success. We are united by the aspiration to generate the highest quality every day," says Kreussler. Benjamin Herz, Managing Partner of Jung von Matt Impact, also emphasizes the strategic fit: "With this step, we are combining two media agencies in such a way that they ideally complement each other in their services for our clients: The digital power house Jung von Matt Impact with the all-media approach of The Generation Media."

This year's sessions focused on topics such as AI-supported tools, new content formats and innovations relating to VR, AR and new media. Meta offered insights into its AI systems for automated creative generation, while Google presented the latest advances in Gemini. These technologies are not only changing the world of advertising - they also demand a new understanding of creative work and data-driven strategy.

AI as a key competence

The lesson learned: Those who want to remain relevant in the future must not only use AI, but also be able to apply it correctly. Prompting, creative automation and strategic data interpretation will be key success factors. The Dreifive agency sees itself in the role of enabler here - with in-depth expertise, direct platform access and a willingness to break new ground.

Inspiration through diversity: focus on customer cases

A highlight of the trip were case presentations from companies such as ÖAMTC, Rossmann and C&A. The strategies and learnings they presented showed how versatile modern campaigns can be today. They also reflected how important it is to have the courage to test and adjust - and to set new standards in the process.

For Dreifive, the trip to Dublin confirmed once again: if you want to be successful in digital marketing, you need tools, strategic thinking, innovative spirit and platform proximity that enables you to recognize trends at an early stage, critically evaluate them and translate them into market-relevant strategies.

The safety of people, the environment and equipment is the top priority when operating process technology systems. Where plant areas are at risk of explosion, for example due to the substances used in the process, appropriate protective measures must be taken and reliably documented. However, this is a complex task, as the calculations must take into account the entire wiring of the system as well as the ambient conditions. The automation experts at Rösberg have been offering the SmartEXI web tool for this task since February 2025. It can be used to calculate whether equipment may be interconnected and the maximum possible cable length. The tool also determines the protection level of the circuits, the Ex group and much more. For the first time, a simple solution is now available that can be used across the board without restrictions and provides tamper-proof verification.

Tamper-proof documentation in three steps

The procedure for creating intrinsic safety certificates is very simple. In the first step, users create their system or assets and enter the necessary information such as name, Ex group, protection level, etc. in a corresponding mask. In the second step, the system automatically checks whether, for example, two devices may be interconnected in the given environment (Ex zone classification, temperatures, etc.) and what maximum cable lengths are permitted between the devices. In the third step, users then receive a tamper-proof certificate that they can save in addition to their technical system documentation. Throughout the entire process, the transparent calculation logic ensures that it is clear how the web tool has determined the results. Users also benefit from manufacturer independence, tamper-proof documentation, increased efficiency and ease of use. Without time-consuming and expensive implementation, you can quickly obtain a secure Ex-i certificate.

Source and further information: https://smartexi.roesberg.com/

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/webtool-fuer-eigensicherheitsnachweise/

If your own brand or product name makes it into the dictionary, then "you've made it". The preliminary stage of this is being used as a verb or umbrella term. Of course, this actually happens quite rarely and this exclusivity alone makes it a kind of distinction. But can this quasi-immortality be bent somehow?

When a new brand or a new product is launched, particularly shrewd marketers like to briefly check whether the name suggestions floating around could also be used as a verb or as an umbrella term. But this is hardly relevant. After all, language can do almost anything anyway - and whether it sounds "nice" doesn't really matter in the end. If someone had these thoughts back then at the "Bostitch" company in the USA: Chapeau! But then the product or the company would probably have a different name. It doesn't get much stranger than that.

Stapler? Stapler?

But Bostitch has just solved a problem. And we're not talking about the loose sheets of paper fluttering around. Apparently, at least in Switzerland, there didn't seem to be a satisfactory name for this device and the associated activity, so the company name Bostitch was quickly coined. Did this thing and the associated activity not even exist in Switzerland before? Or was "stapler" and "stapling device" simply too German? In any case, it struck a nerve of sorts, filling a linguistic vacuum. So well, in fact, that many people no longer even know that Bostitch is not a device, but a company. Some even think it's a technical term from the stationery industry.

One might argue that it would be an absolute worst case scenario if the product is a huge success - but unfortunately the name cannot be used as a verb! As is supposedly the case with Galaxus: Or have you ever galaxed today (or would it be "gelaxt" or "gegölaxt", as a mixture of gegönnt and Galaxus)? The problem here is that galaxus does not solve a problem linguistically, because there is no problem: There is simply no need to find another word for "bestellen" or "Onlineshop". That's bad luck for Galaxus.

Create the problem and then solve it

The name "Google" is also not at all a good verbalization, but it has crept in without hesitation. Because it is simply better than "searching for something on the Internet using a search engine". With "Twinten", the corresponding activity simply didn't exist before the product - a forced verbalization, so to speak. Or to put it another way: along with the product, Twint also created the linguistic problem that it immediately solved again.

Sure: in hindsight, everything seems somehow logical. But it helps to think about whether there is even a linguistic necessity or gap that can be filled before thinking about the most elegant verbalized application of a new brand or product name. And even then: if Bostitch makes it into everyday language, then so can others.

Of course, there are also these desperate attempts to use the name as a verb or umbrella term via advertising. Like "Nogger yourself one!". Go ahead and google it, preferably via image search. Together with this absurd appearance, it was somehow weird enough for the slogan to be dropped sarcastically. After all, it has made itself virtually immortal in its own way as a dubious but much-used example of the problem at hand.

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Analyzed since 2025 Sarah Pally In her column "Blossoms and Pearls", she uses industry-related terms and comments on them with a personal touch, from a linguistic perspective - as well as with a precise view of developments in the industry. Pally is a partner in the Partner & Partner agency in Winterthur. She has been working in the fields of content marketing, text/concept and storytelling in the communications and marketing sector for 15 years.

Bellprat Partner's new logo has a more modern look, stands for flexibility and dynamism and adapts to different applications. The revised website focuses on projects and the team, offers intuitive navigation and presents the agency's 44-year portfolio, from Expo pavilions to tourist productions.

Parallel to the visual renewal, the management structure has also been strengthened: Creative Director Arnau Bellprat, Co-CEO Markus Göb and Co-CEO Iwan Funk are taking over the operational management, supported by Marion Häring as Head of People and Culture in the extended management team. Xavier Bellprat, company founder, partner and still Creative Director, will continue to actively contribute his many years of expertise to various specific projects. The current team at Bellprat Partner is generally more interdisciplinary: Experts from the fields of scenography, architecture, interaction design and graphics work together in close collaboration.

The German company burster from the Black Forest focuses on supplying users in mechanical and plant engineering, automation, automotive engineering with suppliers, electrical engineering, electronics and the chemical industry. With the MySensor service, all force, torque, displacement and pressure sensors from the portfolio can be adapted to the user's specifications or redesigned to meet individual customer requirements. This may sound time-consuming, but it is usually cheaper than converting the systems themselves for the use of standard sensors, according to the company. The procedure also saves time and guarantees optimum measured values, the company adds. The conversion begins with a feasibility analysis in which CAD data is evaluated. If necessary, the sensor experts inspect the device via video in order to find the best possible position for force or torque measurement and then agree on the procedure. After the analysis, a prototype is produced, tested and evaluated by the user and then manufactured in series. The materials available are aluminum or stainless steel. They cover a wide range of application requirements and are suitable for special requirements in areas such as hygiene or medical technology. If required, strain gauges can also be integrated directly into customer parts to absorb forces.  

Special design cheaper - how does that work?

Custom-made products are cost-intensive and therefore undesirable. However, it is often sufficient to adapt the sensor design in order to avoid a mechanical conversion of the machine. This saves time and money. The range of possibilities is wide: housing variations with modified inner or outer diameters, shoulders or flanges or recesses on the housing, modified (through) holes for countersunk screw heads are sufficient in some applications for the sensor to fit. Sometimes fully encapsulated sensor bodies are required to prevent the ingress of foreign particles during injection molding (image above). One example can be found in motor vehicles, where a sensor with a particularly flat design is required for force measurement on the control pedal. But even more complicated applications can be implemented quickly with MySensor. Determining the center of gravity of a crane boom truck requires insensitivity to vibration and shock as well as integrated low-power electronics and maximum reliability thanks to a fully encapsulated, laser-welded design. The insensitivity to lateral loads is ensured by eight strain gauges. Another complex application example can be found in the measurement of intraocular pressure. Here, small forces have to be measured with low temperature drift (image below), which was achieved by decoupling the sensor body of the "contact glass dynamometer".

Source and further information: www.burster.de

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/individuelle-sensorloesungen-oft-guenstiger-als-umbauten/

The annual "Trusted Brand" brand study by Reader's Digest, conducted in collaboration with the Aachen-based Dialego Institute, has once again investigated Swiss consumers' trust in brands. For the 2025 edition, 2,300 people were surveyed and asked to name their most trusted brands in 15 product categories. Despite economic and social uncertainties, brand trust remains remarkably stable: in 13 categories, the winners are the same as last year.

The frontrunners in the respective categories include Ricola (sweets), Miele (household appliances), Amplifon (hearing aids), NeoCitran (cough medicine), Nivea (cosmetics) and CSS (health insurance). Particularly striking is the dominance of Fielmann in the opticians/glasses brands category with 752 mentions - the highest number of all categories - followed by Ricola (655 votes) and Nivea (532 votes).

AI acceptance on the rise

There has been a change in attitudes towards artificial intelligence (AI). While 24% of respondents rate AI applications positively - an increase of two percentage points compared to the previous year - the negative attitude fell by six points to 33%. However, the majority of consumers remain indifferent to AI, with an increase to 43%.

The study also sheds light on the personal assessment of the future: only 57% of Swiss people still believe that 2025 will be a good year for them personally - a decline compared to the 61% in the previous year. Andreas Karl, Managing Director of Reader's Digest Germany, Austria and Switzerland, comments: "Our study shows how important it is to provide clear points of reference with high-quality and sustainable offers - and thus invest in the trust of customers."

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The "Trusted Brand" study has been conducted since 2001 and is considered one of the largest consumer studies in Europe. According to the information provided, the unaided survey, in which consumers spontaneously name their most trusted brands, is unique. A total of 2193 brand terms were named in Switzerland, which underlines the intense competition for consumer trust.

The EU Cyber Resilience Act came into force on December 10, 2024. This places new obligations on manufacturers of "products with digital elements". "Companies that are subject to the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) should hurry to adapt their products to the requirements of the CRA," says Jan Wendenburg, CEO of the Düsseldorf-based cybersecurity company Onekey. He points out that the first CRA regulations will apply from September 2026 and all others from December 11, 2027. "From this date, all networked products must fully comply with the cyber security requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act," clarifies Jan Wendenburg. Manufacturers, importers and retailers are equally challenged: Without CRA conformity, the CE mark may not be awarded, and thus the affected products may no longer be sold in the EU.

The European Commission's Cyber Resilience Act, which was adopted on December 10, 2024, is the most comprehensive regulation to date on the cyber security of connected products in Europe. For all manufacturers of devices "with digital elements", i.e. all smart products, whether for industry, consumers or businesses, time is of the essence, as the new security requirements must already be taken into account during product development. "In view of the product life cycles, which generally span many years, the topic of CRA should therefore be given top priority in order to be able to continue selling on the EU market in the future," advises Jan Wendenburg.

"Security by design" for CRA compliance

Key elements for CRA compliance are the principle of "security by design" as well as continuous risk assessment and vulnerability remediation. In addition, the EU CRA requires a Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) to make software components traceable and to identify risks in the supply chain at an early stage. The CRA categorizes products into three security classes: Critical, Important and Other. Corresponding requirements must be met in each class. The security of the supply chain is particularly relevant here, as vulnerabilities in third-party and open source components can jeopardize the integrity of the overall system. The implementation period of 24 or 36 months since coming into force on December 10, 2024 poses major challenges for manufacturers, as product developments often take years. In order to meet the requirements of the CRA, companies should implement cybersecurity best practices as quickly as possible. In addition to the CRA, other regulatory frameworks such as RED II (EN 18031) and IEC 62443-4-2 must also be taken into account. Special compliance tools can help to meet current and future requirements by enabling a quick, simple and therefore efficient cybersecurity assessment of product software. One example of this is the patent-pending Compliance Wizard from Onekey.

"Companies that adapt their product strategy in good time not only secure their market approval in the EU, but also their competitiveness. Product lifecycle cybersecurity, proactive compliance and supply chain transparency are becoming indispensable success factors for all manufacturers on the EU market," explains Jan Wendenburg.

The new requirements of the Cyber Resilience Act

In order to meet the new requirements, companies must be able to identify security vulnerabilities in their products and continuously monitor the product life cycle. This means that every software version must be tested and - as long as it is active - continuously monitored for possible new vulnerabilities. New vulnerabilities must be continuously assessed and, if necessary, reported and/or measures taken to repair them.

The CRA requirements cover the entire life cycle of smart products - from planning and development through to operation and subsequent decommissioning. Manufacturers are obliged to offer security updates for their products for a period of at least five years. If the product is used for a shorter period, this period can be shortened accordingly. "In many industrial sectors, however, product lifetimes of 10 or 20 years or even longer are not uncommon. This means that monitoring, maintenance, vulnerability management and patch strategies must also be maintained over a correspondingly long period," says Jan Wendenburg, explaining the challenges.

"The implementation of the Cyber Resilience Act poses considerable practical challenges for manufacturers," explains Jan Wendenburg. He cites specific examples: "In industrial manufacturing, where control and production systems are used for decades and regular security updates are required to ensure compliance. In the IoT industry, such as smart household appliances, constant maintenance of the software bill of materials is also necessary in order to quickly identify and rectify potential vulnerabilities." Companies need to work closely with their suppliers and use third-party software testing tools, such as binary analysis solutions, to ensure security monitoring upon receipt of goods and throughout the product lifecycle. "Only automated processes and tools for vulnerability and compliance analysis make it possible to meet the new legal requirements in an economically viable and efficient manner," says Jan Wendenburg.

Source: Onekey

CRA and Switzerland

The provisions of the Cyber Resilience Act also affect Swiss companies, particularly if they wish to export products with digital components to the EU. Network devices such as routers and switches, industrial control systems and software products are affected. Swiss companies wishing to export such products or other products with digital elements to the EU are obliged to meet the requirements of the CRA and must provide corresponding proof of conformity. According to information from the Federal Office for Cybersecurity BACS, the majority of products are considered "non-critical". This means that a self-declaration is sufficient as proof of conformity. However, for products such as intelligent door locks, alarm systems, wearable medical devices and the like, the requirements for conformity are higher and require an assessment by a third party.

red. / swisscybersecurity.net / Redguard AG

This article originally appeared on m-q.ch - https://www.m-q.ch/de/cyber-resilience-act-fordert-produktanpassungen/

Dalith Steiger-Gabler was honored with the Empowering Women Award at the League of Leading Ladies Conference 2025 in Interlaken. The co-founder of the AI hub SwissCognitive was recognized for her long-standing commitment to promoting women in technology-related professions.

Steiger is regarded as one of the leading voices in the field of artificial intelligence and pursues a socially minded approach. A graduate in mathematics and business informatics from the University of Zurich, she repeatedly emphasizes the role of AI as a tool for social progress and equality.

The jury - consisting of Charlotte Parnack (The time), Ulrich Rotzinger (View) and Sandra-Stella Triebl (Ladies Drive Magazine) - justified her decision by saying that Steiger "embodies the zeitgeist like no other". "She stands for empowerment in an area where women urgently need more visibility and a voice." For example, through her support of initiatives such as Women in AI, Girls Can Code or TechFace or as a mentor.

Steiger's aim is to motivate women worldwide to get involved in male-dominated professional fields: "I want to inspire women worldwide and show them that technology is not just a male domain - it belongs to (and helps) all of us," she said at the award ceremony.

Since 2022, the Empowering Women Award has been presented at the annual League of Leading Ladies Conference, which brings together international leaders from business, science and society. The conference was held for the twelfth time.

The long-standing partner of the event, Porsche Switzerland, emphasized the importance of visionary thinking: "Real innovation is created when we have the courage to imagine something new," said CEO Holger Gerrmann. The award is an expression of this aspiration.