Regulators in France on Sept. 12 ordered tech giant Apple to pause sales of one of its iPhones in the country amid concerns it emits too much electromagnetic radiation.
France’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR) notified Apple of its decision to ban sales of the iPhone 12 after conducting tests that showed that the smartphone’s specific absorption rate (SAR) was slightly above the legal limit, Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications Jean-Noel Barrot told Le Parisien.
That means the iPhones, which have been sold by Apple since 2020, were emitting more electromagnetic waves susceptible to be absorbed by the body than legally permitted.
In a press release, the regulator said 141 cellphones were recently tested by an accredited laboratory, allowing them to ensure the SAR values comply with European regulations.
However, regulators found absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests in which the device was held in the hand or placed in the trouser pocket.
The EU standard for SAR is 4.0 watts per kilogram.
SAR values were found to be compliant for iPhone 12 devices being carried at a distance of 5 mm from the body, like in coat pockets or bags, regulators said.