Answer:

The term “Open Source Steward” is defined in Article 3 lit 14 CRA:

“‘open-source software steward’ means a legal person, other than a manufacturer, that has the purpose or objective of systematically providing support on a sustained basis for the development of specific products with digital elements, qualifying as free and open-source software and intended for commercial activities, and that ensures the viability of those products”

According to this definition no individual person can be an Open Source Steward. Additionally, an Open Source Steward can also not be a manufacturer as well. The mentioned support of open-source software can be e.g. the following “on a sustained basis“ (cf. Recital 19):

• Provision of infrastructure to develop open-source software

• Hosting of source code or software

• Administration of open-source software

Eclipse Foundation, Apache Software Foundation and KDE e.V. are very probably Open Source Stewards.

Additionally, “legal persons who provide support on a sustained basis for the development of such products which are intended for commercial activities, and who play a main role in ensuring the viability of those products (open-source software stewards), should be subject to a light-touch and tailor-made regulatory regime“ (Recital 19 CRA). However, this also entails, that “they should not be permitted to affix the CE marking to the products with digital elements whose development they support“ (Recital 19 CRA).

CRA; FOSS; Open Source Steward; Open Source software

Most recent content update of this FAQ: September 2025

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