NEWS
COMMENT T
his month, the Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) took the next step towards coming into force, with reporting obligations applying
from the 11th September 2026. The CRA aims to make sure all digital products
are safe from cyber threats. It introduces mandatory cybersecurity requirements for manufacturers, covering the planning, design, development and maintenance of such products. These obligations must be met at every stage of the value chain. The CRA also requires manufacturers to handle vulnerabilities during the lifecycle of their products. Some products of particular relevance for cybersecurity may need to undergo a third-party assessment by a notified body before they are sold on the EU market. With the reporting regulations coming into force, the Act transforms
European IoT security from best practices into a legal reporting requirement.
Iain Davidson, Head of Product Marketing at Wireless Logic, said: “While the CRA rightly holds manufacturers accountable for the cybersecurity of products with digital elements, its product-centric allocation of responsibility does not currently reflect how cyber risk is created in real-world IoT deployments. Manufacturers can secure a device against its intended and reasonably foreseeable use but they cannot secure a deployment architecture they did not design or operate. For industries like the IoT, the entity assembling devices, connectivity, cloud platforms, applications and operational processes into a service may in fact have substantially greater control over – and visibility of – the resulting systemic cyber risk than equipment manufacturers.
“The CRA should therefore not be viewed as an all-encompassing IoT cybersecurity regulation. Instead, it acts as a starting point for ensuring that connected products entering the EU market are secure by design and supported throughout their lifecycle. Learn more from Iain’s blogs at:
wirelesslogic.com Michelle Lea – Editor
EVALUATING NON-PFAS MATERIALS FOR FLOWMETERS T
itan Enterprises is undertaking an extensive material evaluation programme to identify high-performance, non-PFAS materials for its turbine flowmeter range. This is part of a continuing commitment to innovation and regulatory readiness to ensure suitable fluorine-free polymers can be used to maintain the performance characteristics demanded by industrial flow measurement applications. Increasing international scrutiny of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), coupled with anticipated legislation within global markets, is driving manufacturers to reassess material selection across critical components. The OECD’s broad definition of PFAS encompasses a wide range of fluorinated materials traditionally used in engineering applications, prompting companies to review product designs and material selections. Final legislation is anticipated by the end of 2026 to be accepted by European Member States, with the likelihood of changes coming into effect in 2027. Recognising the importance of staying ahead of evolving legislation, Titan Enterprises is conducting testing of non-PFAS materials to determine their suitability for precision moulded
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flowmeter components. The research focuses on finding alternatives that deliver the durability, dimensional stability, chemical resistance and long-term reliability customers expect, without compromising measurement accuracy or operational performance. “Our objective is to provide customers with confidence that their flow measurement solutions will remain compliant, reliable and fit for purpose as regulations evolve,” said Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer for Titan Enterprises. “Currently no single alternative material exists that has the properties required across all our industry applications where the mini turbines are being used, therefore our ideal is to have 3-4 options for our customers to choose.” With the likelihood of multiple polymer types to be offered to suit specific customer process and application requirements, the priority is also for any chosen material to be FDA and/ or NSF-Approved in order to be viable for use within the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries. Two such materials - Hostaform and
polypropylene - are currently performing well under testing, with key properties of good
PROCESS & CONTROL ENGINEERING | SEPTEMBER 2026
chemical resistance to solvents, fuel and strong alkalis, as well as high resistance to thermal and oxidative degradation. The research forms part of Titan’s long-
term engineering strategy to minimise the impact of emerging PFAS regulations without compromising the accuracy, repeatability and robustness of its turbine flowmeters. Alongside its material development
programme, Titan Enterprises has published a PFAS Statement outlining the company’s position on current and proposed PFAS legislation and the potential implications for its product portfolio. The document provides customers with guidance on Titan’s ongoing material qualification activities and its commitment to supporting compliance throughout the regulatory transition. u
www.flowmeters.co.uk
POSITIVE RESULTS FROM DIGITAL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME
N
orth West manufacturers are turning ambitious AI, automation and digital transformation plans into action after sharpening their leadership skills with Made Smarter.
The Government-backed Leading Digital Transformation (LDT) programme has now supported 145 leaders from 125 manufacturers, with alumni crediting it with changing how they plan, prioritise and lead digital change. From developing clearer strategies and roadmaps to engaging teams and managing change, participants say the programme has given them practical tools and greater confidence to turn ambition into impact. This cohort included Hafferty Interiors, The Awning Company, VitrineAlu,
and Avocet Materials Group. Across these, and other businesses, delegates are applying their learning to sharpen strategy, improve planning and stakeholder engagement, challenge processes before digitising them, and better align investment in people and technology. In turn, those skills are supporting projects involving AI, automation and robotics, data and dashboards, connected systems and customer-facing technology. LDT is a 14-week programme for current and emerging manufacturing leaders,
delivered with Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford. It combines face-to-face workshops, online webinars, real-life manufacturing case studies, peer learning and visits to technology demonstrators. Participants apply the learning directly to their own businesses, developing a digital strategy and roadmap. To register your interest for the next LDT cohort starting in January 2027 visit: u
www.madesmarter.uk
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