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France has imposed a ban on the sale of the Apple iPhone 12 within its borders, citing concerns over the device’s Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) exceeding permissible limits. The decision, handed down by France’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR), is a response to findings that the iPhone 12 emits electromagnetic waves surpassing legal thresholds, mandating an immediate halt to its sales.
In its assessment, ANFR conducted SAR testing on a total of 141 mobile phones, including the three-year-old Apple smartphone. The results indicated that when the iPhone 12 was placed inside a pocket, it emitted a SAR value of 5.74 watts per kilogram, exceeding the EU standard limit of 4.0 watts per kilogram. However, the iPhone complied with the requirements in a secondary test, which involved placing the device 5 mm away from a human body, where the limit stands at 2.0 W/kg.
ANFR released a statement asserting that Apple must employ “all available means” to swiftly address this issue, or it could face a directive to recall all units sold in France. Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s junior minister for digital economy, suggested that Apple could potentially resolve the matter through a software update, with expectations for a resolution within two weeks.
SAR values are subject to safety regulations established by the European Union to safeguard users against potential health risks, as indicated by certain scientific studies. Barrot disclosed that ANFR’s findings would be shared with regulatory authorities in other EU member states.
While this ban may have repercussions for Apple, particularly concerning the iPhone 12, it’s worth noting that the company has already distributed millions of units since its launch in September 2020. Furthermore, the entire iPhone 12 series has been discontinued with the introduction of the iPhone 15, rendering any significant impact on Apple’s sales unlikely.
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