For wireless device manufacturers eyeing the EU market, EN 18031-1 has become an unavoidable compliance hurdle. Since its full mandatory enforcement on August 1, 2025, many enterprises have faced product detentions and repeated testing due to misinterpreting standard details: some inappropriately relied on old EN 303645 certificates for exemptions, while others failed testing for lacking firmware update digital signatures. In essence, this standard builds a baseline network security defense—grasping compliance logic and avoiding key pitfalls enables efficient certification. Combining the latest regulatory requirements and practical cases, this guide fully breaks down EN 18031-1 operational essentials from compliance nature, core requirements, pitfalls to implementation steps.
EN 18031-1 is not an isolated security standard, but a core harmonized standard under the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED 2014/53/EU). Its mandatory force stems from EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30 and Amendment 2023/2444/EU, officially listed in the RED harmonized standard inventory via the Official Journal of the EU (OJ) on January 30, 2025. Its core role is setting a unified security baseline for all internet-connected wireless devices to resist cyberattacks and prevent service degradation, aligning with RED Article 3(3)(d) legal requirements.
Within the standard framework, EN 18031 series builds a tiered and modular compliance pathway based on the old IoT security standard EN 303645, forming a complete protection matrix with three parts:
·EN 18031-1: General network security baseline (mandatory for all internet-connected wireless devices, a must-have for compliance)
·EN 18031-2: Specific requirements for privacy-sensitive devices (aligns with RED Article 3(3)(e); for wearables, child monitors, and other personal data-handling products)
·EN 18031-3: Security specifications for financial transaction devices (aligns with RED Article 3(3)(f); for POS terminals, crypto wallets, etc.)
Critical note: Compliance requires meeting multiple standards based on product functions, not a single standard. For example, a payment-enabled smartwatch must comply with EN 18031-1 (baseline security), EN 18031-2 (privacy protection), and EN 18031-3 (financial security). Additionally, products under other sector-specific regulations (e.g., medical devices, aerospace equipment) may apply for partial exemptions, but must submit alternative compliance plans to the European Commission in advance.
2. Core Requirements for EN 18031-1 Wireless Device Certification
EN 18031-1 testing centers on building a baseline security defense, with notified bodies focusing audits on three high-risk areas: access control, secure updates, and network resilience—the top pain points for enterprise compliance.
2.1 Access Control: End-to-End Protection from Passwords to Permissions
Access control aims to eliminate unauthorized access; testing verifies not just function implementation, but practical execution details:
·Password management: Hardcoded default passwords (e.g., "admin123", "123456") are strictly prohibited. Users must set strong passwords on first use (≥8 characters, mix of uppercase/lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols) with 90-day renewal reminders.
·Permission tiering: At minimum three tiers (admin, operator, guest)—admins have full access, operators limited to daily functions, guests read-only. Permission boundaries must be hard-coded in firmware, not just hidden in interfaces.
·Interface protection: Web management interfaces and APIs must use TLS 1.2+ encryption; SSL v3, TLS 1.0/1.1 (weak protocols) are banned to prevent data interception during transmission.
2.2 Secure Updates: Authenticity, Integrity & Reliability
Per EN 18031-1:2024 Clause 6.3, firmware updates are no longer optional but a legal obligation, requiring three core safeguards:
·Authenticity verification: Update packages must be digitally signed with industry-validated strong encryption algorithms (e.g., RSA-2048, ECDSA, ECC-256). Devices store corresponding public key certificates and reject unsigned/invalid packages.
·Transmission & storage security: Updates are downloaded via TLS 1.2+ encrypted channels and stored in read-only partitions or secure storage to prevent unauthorized modification.
·Reliability guarantees: Anti-rollback mechanisms reject outdated firmware to avoid downgrade attacks; power-failure recovery (e.g., A/B dual partitions, backup images) prevents bricking during updates.
2.3 Network Resilience: Security Under Abnormal Conditions
A key new requirement vs. old standards (mandated by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/30), ensuring data security and service continuity during attacks or failures:
·Attack defense: Built-in DDoS protection identifies and blocks abnormal traffic to prevent device crashes from malicious requests.
·Recovery mechanisms: After attacks or failures, devices auto-repair or reboot to resume normal operation without leaking sensitive memory data (e.g., Wi-Fi passwords, device keys).
·Monitoring & alerts: Real-time network monitoring tracks status and connection requests to detect threats and trigger alerts promptly.
3. Top 4 Compliance Pitfalls for Enterprises in 2025
Pitfall 1: EN 303645 certificates exempt EN 18031-1 testing
EN 303645 only covers basic security and lacks core EN 18031-1 requirements like network resilience and update signatures—they are not interchangeable. Notified bodies clarify that existing EN 303645 reports only allow partial test data reuse (e.g., basic RF/EMC), requiring gap testing (additional 2-3 weeks). Since August 2025, over 20% of enterprises delayed launches due to this mistake.
Pitfall 2: Focusing only on function, ignoring technical document completeness
EN 18031-1 uses dual-track audits (function testing + document review); missing/incomplete documents are top rejection causes. Mandatory documents include: circuit schematics (mark secure chip locations), risk assessment reports (cover cyberattacks, data leaks), BOM lists (certify critical components like crypto chips), and security design documents (detail access control/update mechanisms). Adding Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) charts to clarify security logic significantly boosts audit pass rates.
Pitfall 3: Choosing encryption algorithms incompatible with EU practices
Some enterprises inappropriately treat US FIPS 140-3 as mandatory, increasing costs unnecessarily. In fact, EN 18031-1 only requires industry-validated strong algorithms, not tied to specific certifications. Prioritize EU-widely recognized algorithms (RSA-2048, ECC-256) and use mature libraries (mbed TLS, OpenSSL) instead of custom encryption to balance compliance and cost.
Pitfall 4: Neglecting post-certification maintenance
EN 18031-1-related CE-RED certificates have no fixed validity, but notified bodies conduct annual surveillance audits focusing on: 1) ongoing security updates (long-term patch support for shipped devices); 2) vulnerability response (establish mechanisms to monitor CVE databases). In October 2025, a smart device manufacturer faced rectification orders and potential revocation for stopping updates 6 months post-launch.
4. EN 18031-1 Wireless Device Certification Implementation Steps
4.1 Design Phase: Embed Compliance into Product Architecture
Compliance success relies on security-by-design, not post-test fixes:
·Hardware: Reserve secure chips (e.g., SE) or use Common Criteria EAL5+ certified crypto chips to store keys/sensitive data, avoiding exposure in main processors.
·Software: Pre-integrate update signature verification and anti-rollback logic; disable outdated insecure protocols (WEP, WPA); Wi-Fi devices prioritize WPA3, Bluetooth enable LE Secure Connections.
·Functions: Define clear permission rules and password policies (no hardcoded defaults); design encrypted data storage (AES-256 for personal data).
4.2 Testing Preparation: Select Qualified Partners & Conduct Pre-Testing
·Partner selection: Choose notified bodies with cybersecurity expertise—their dedicated penetration testing teams anticipate issues, cutting timelines by 20-30%. Chinese enterprises prefer branches in Shenzhen/Shanghai for easier rectification communication.
·Pre-testing: Conduct third-party pre-testing on core modules (access control, secure updates, resilience) before official submission. Pre-test costs 30-40% of formal testing but avoids 80% re-test fees from failures.
4.3 Certification Execution: Streamlined Process
-Technical document preparation: Compile complete documents per notified body requirements to avoid gaps.
-Sample submission: Send mass-production samples for mandatory tests (penetration testing, firmware security audits, rollback prevention, man-in-the-middle tampering).
-Audit & rectification: Address lab findings and supplement supporting materials.
-Certificate acquisition: Obtain CE-RED certificates marked "compliant with EN 18031-1"; USB devices require additional TID registration.
-Post-maintenance: Establish update delivery and vulnerability response processes; retain latest 3 update logs for annual audits.
EN 18031-1 is not a market barrier, but an opportunity to enhance product security competitiveness. As EU consumers prioritize cybersecurity, compliant products gain both market access and brand trust. Following security-by-design, targeted pitfall avoidance, and standardized processes enables full certification in ~3 months. For tailored guidance, consult notified body technical advisors or BLUEASIA at +86 13534225140.
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