French regulators on Tuesday ordered Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 due to the release of excessive electromagnetic radiation, and to repair existing handsets.
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The French agency that regulates radio frequencies, ANFR, said the test found that the model emits more electromagnetic waves that are easily absorbed by the body than allowed.
The ANFR said it “ordered Apple to remove the iPhone 12 from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the limit” for electromagnetic absorption by the body.
It says that accredited labs have found the absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests that simulate whether the phone is held in the hand or hidden in a pocket.
The European standard is a specific absorption rate of 4.0 watts per kilogram in such tests.
“Due to the phones that have already been sold, Apple must in the shortest possible time take corrective measures to fulfill the affected phones,” ANFR said in a statement on its website.
“If not, Apple should recall them.”
ANFR noted that tests that measured electromagnetic radiation absorbed at a distance of five centimeters complied with the limit of 2.0 watts per kilogram.
ANFR said its agents will verify starting Wednesday that iPhone 12 models are no longer offered for sale in France.
When contacted by AFP, Apple had no immediate comment.
Regulators in several countries have limits on the amount of electromagnetic radiation emitted by mobile phones to prevent adverse health effects.
The World Health Organization says on its website that after several studies “no adverse health effects have been established due to mobile phone use”.
(AFP)