Tech giant Apple has found itself in a legal battle with French authorities over its iPhone 12 model. This comes after the Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR), France's radiation watchdog, ordered the company to cease sales of the iPhone 12 in the country due to alleged breaches of European exposure limits.
The ANFR's decision, delivered to Apple on September 12, cited tests that revealed the iPhone 12's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) exceeded legally permissible levels in Europe. SAR measures the rate at which the human body absorbs radiofrequency energy from electronic devices.
In response to these allegations, Apple asserts that its iPhone 12 complies with global radiation standards and is certified as such by multiple international bodies. The company provided ANFR with a series of test results conducted by both Apple and independent third-party labs, all of which indicated adherence to the SAR regulations and standards in effect worldwide.
Apple's contention with ANFR's findings underscores its commitment to resolving the dispute and demonstrating compliance with the regulations. The company has expressed its intention to engage further with the agency to clarify the matter.
The ANFR's tests reportedly measured the body's absorption of electromagnetic energy at 5.74 watts per kilogram when the iPhone 12 was held in hand or placed in a trouser pocket. This exceeded the European standard of 4.0 watts per kilogram. However, the phone was deemed compliant with body-SAR standards when placed in a jacket pocket or bag.
France's junior minister for the digital economy, Jean-Noel Barrot, suggested that a software update could potentially resolve the radiation issues associated with the iPhone 12, which Apple has been selling in France since 2020. He stated that Apple has a two-week deadline to respond and implement corrective measures; otherwise, he is prepared to order a recall of all iPhone 12 units in circulation.
It's worth noting that Apple does not publicly disclose its sales figures by country or model. However, Europe is a significant market for the tech giant, accounting for approximately $95 bn in revenues last year, making it the company's second-largest market after the Americas. Estimates suggest that Apple sold over 50 mn iPhones in Europe in the previous year.
The ANFR has confirmed that it recently conducted tests on 141 mobile phone models, including the iPhone 12, and will continue to monitor the situation. Furthermore, the watchdog plans to share its findings with regulators in other European Union member states, potentially leading to wider implications for Apple and other manufacturers.
The European Union has established safety limits for SAR values related to mobile phone radiation due to concerns about potential health risks, including a heightened risk of certain types of cancer. The ANFR's decision could have far-reaching consequences as other countries may follow suit with similar regulatory actions.
In 2020, France introduced regulations requiring retailers to disclose the radiation values of various electronic products, extending beyond mobile phones to include tablets and other electronic devices. The ongoing dispute between Apple and ANFR underscores the growing scrutiny over radiation emissions from electronic devices and the importance of regulatory compliance in the tech industry.
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