Apple was directed by France to stop selling iPhone 12 and “fix” existing devices due to concerns about electromagnetic radiation emissions.
The ANFR, the French radio frequency agency, stated on its website that testing conducted on the iPhone 12 revealed an increase in the amount of electromagnetic waves susceptible to being absorbed by the body.
Apple was directed by the ANFR to remove the iPhone 12 from the French market on September 12 as it exceeded the maximum absorption limit for electromagnetic radiation. The agency also instructed Apple to recall all iPhones sold in France.
The ANFR stated on its website that Apple must take necessary steps to bring phones affected by the brief delay into compliance. If not, Apple will have to recall them.
The ANFR reported that the device had a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) of 5.74 watts per kilogram, which is higher than the European Union phone limit when kept in limbo or in one pocket. It plans to present its results to other EU regulators.
The findings contradict the advice of the World Health Organization (WHO), which states that “based on data from many studies, there is no evidence to suggest that mobile phone use has any adverse health effects.”
Apple informed the BBC that it was challenging the ANFR’s investigation and had provided its own lab findings and third-party evidence to prove compliance with global radiation standards.
Apple has faced similar regulatory scrutiny in France before. A previous French law required Apple to include EarPods in their product line until January 2022, citing the lack of clarity on the risks associated with exposing developing brains to electromagnetic waves.
Retailers in France were mandated to display the radiation value of products on packaging that does not include smartphones, tablets, or other electronic devices during the year 2020.
The ANFR stated that Apple has two weeks to respond to the iPhone 12 purchase.