France has issued an order to Apple, instructing them to cease the sale of the iPhone 12 due to excessive electromagnetic radiation emissions. Additionally, the French regulatory authority overseeing radio frequencies has called on Apple to rectify the issue with existing phones.
The ANFR (Agence Nationale des Fréquences) has conveyed to Apple that if they cannot resolve the problem through a software update, they must initiate a recall for every iPhone 12 ever sold in France.
It’s worth noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) has previously sought to alleviate concerns regarding radiation emitted by mobile phones, stating on its website that there is no evidence to suggest that exposure to low-level electromagnetic fields poses harm to humans.
The iPhone 12 debuted in September 2020 and is still available for sale worldwide.Apple has responded to the ANFR’s review by contesting it, citing lab results from both the tech giant and third parties as evidence of compliance with all relevant regulations concerning radiation levels.
Jean-Noel Barrot
France’s digital minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, stated that the decision stemmed from radiation levels surpassing the permissible threshold, as Reuters reported. The ANFR found that the iPhone 12’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) exceeded the legally allowed limit.
Barrot stated, “Apple is expected to respond within two weeks. If they fail to do so, I am prepared to order a recall of all iPhones 12 in circulation. The rule applies to everyone, including digital giants.” France intends to share its findings with other regulators within the European trading bloc, potentially triggering a chain reaction.
The ANFR assesses the SAR of devices based on two distinct usage scenarios. The first pertains to a “membre” or limb check, which considers when a phone is in close proximity to a person’s body, such as when held or placed in a trouser pocket. The scenario has a SAR limit set at four watts per kilogram. The regulator determined that the iPhone 12’s SAR in this scenario was 5.74 watts per kilogram, surpassing the established limit.
The second scenario involves when a phone is slightly farther away, such as when placed in a bag or jacket pocket. In this instance, the iPhone 12’s SAR measurement remained within the acceptable threshold.
This news emerged in France on the same day Apple unveiled its latest iPhone 15, the first model since 2012 to feature an alternative charging port. Apple also announced plans to sell an adapter, allowing users to continue using their existing cables.
Simultaneously, the Chinese foreign ministry has refuted media reports claiming that government agencies instructed their staff to discontinue using iPhones, stating that China has not issued any laws, regulations, or policies prohibiting the use of Apple’s products.
