Recently, regulators in France demanded that Apple remove the iPhone 12 from French markets over concerns the devices emit radiation that exceeds regulatory limits. France’s National Frequency Agency requires that Apple update the devices to meet French regulations, or they must be recalled.
According to Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), the iPhone 12 exceeded the specific absorption rate (SAR), a measure of radiation absorbed by the human body. The regulatory body inspects all mobile phones sold on the French market, encompassing 141 different devices. Per the ANFR:
“The mobile phones were tested by an accredited laboratory, which allows the ANFR to ensure that the SAR values comply with European regulation. These requirements entail that the equipment be tested at touch-contact (0 mm) for limb-SAR measures – where the phone is handheld or in a trouser pocket – and at a distance of 5 mm for body-SAR – where the phone is in the pocket of a jacket or in a bag. The values must therefore respect maximum limits of 4 Watts/kg for limb-SAR and 2 W/kg for body-SAR. The ANFR’s measures show that the limb-SAR values exceed the limit, being at 5,74 W/kg. However, the body-SAR complies with the regulation.”
The regulators noted that Apple must act swiftly to correct this alleged violation of the SAR, stating, “Consequently, Apple must immediately adopt all necessary measures to prevent the iPhone 12 in the supply chain from being made available on the market. As for those telephones that are already in use, Apple must adopt all necessary corrective measures to bring the telephones into conformity as soon as possible, otherwise, Apple will have to recall the equipment.” The ANFR noted they will verify that changes made to the iPhone 12 comply with regulatory standards.
However, Jean-Noël Barrot, a French minister who oversees technology-related issues, claimed the radiation levels observed in the iPhone 12 are not believed to be harmful to the human body. The minister told French media the emissions are “significantly lower than levels where scientific studies consider there may be consequences for users. But the rule is the rule.”
Apple issued a subsequent statement, promising the release of a software update that will reportedly correct the radiation issues. “We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France. This is related to a specific testing protocol used by French regulators and not a safety concern,” Apple said.
Officials from other European nations, such as Belgium, Germany, and Italy, have also requested that Apple release the software update to the entirety of the European Union. However, it is unclear what exactly the software update will do to manage the radiation emissions from the devices. Still, Apple is confident it will place the iPhone 12 back into regulatory compliance.
Apple responded to French regulators, claiming the company has its own lab-tested results that prove the iPhone 12 complies with regulatory standards. Ironically, the decision from the ANFR came on the same day Apple announced the upcoming release of the iPhone 15 lineup.
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