**PUBLIC NOTICE**![](media/image1.png){width="0.8020833333333334in"
height="0.8097222222222222in"}

**FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION**

**445 12th STREET S.W.**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20554**

News media information 202/418-0500

Fax-On-Demand 202/418-2830

Internet: http://www.fcc.gov

ftp.fcc.gov

**Released: February 25, 2000**

YEAR 2000 DEADLINE FOR COMPLIANCE WITH COMMISSION'S REGULATIONS
REGARDING HUMAN EXPOSURE TO RADIOFREQUENCY EMISSIONS

On August 25, 1997, the Commission adopted the second of two Orders
finalizing its rules regarding compliance with safety limits for human
exposure to radiofrequency (RF) emissions (FCC 97-303, 12 FCC Rcd 13494,
1997). The effective dates for implementation of the revised rules were
August 1, 1996, for devices subject to equipment authorization, such as
cellular and PCS telephones, and October 15, 1997, for other
transmitting facilities and operations (except the Amateur Radio Service
for which the effective date was January 1, 1998). For devices,
facilities and operations authorized or licensed by the Commission prior
to the appropriate effective date, the following provision was adopted:
"All existing transmitting facilities, operations and devices regulated
by the Commission must be in compliance with the requirements of
paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of this section by September 1, 2000,
or, if not in compliance, file an Environmental Assessment as specified
in §1.1311." \[47 CFR 1.1307(b)(5)\] If such an Environmental Assessment
("EA") is required, the obligation to file it would fall upon the
licensee presently holding the permit or license to transmit, or the
party presently holding the grant of equipment authorization.

An EA is a formal document required by the National Environmental Policy
Act whenever an action may have a significant environmental impact.
Section 1.1311 of the Commission's rules, 47 CFR §1.1311, explains what
information must be included in an EA. The Commission's rules require
that EAs accompany applications for licenses, renewals or other
Commission actions when there is evidence of environmental impact for a
variety of categories. An EA would be considered by the Commission to
determine whether the environmental impact described is significant and
whether further action is needed to minimize or eliminate the
environmental effect. Filing procedures for EAs may vary depending on
the specific authorizing bureau or office. Information on specific
filing procedures can be obtained at the appropriate Web site address or
phone number found at the end of this notice. With respect to antennas
located on fixed structures, filers of EAs should be aware that non-RF
environmental issues must be addressed in any EA filed with the
Commission in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1311 and the
Commission's environmental rules (Sections 1.1301-1.1319).

The purpose of this Public Notice is to remind all of the Commission's
licensees and grantees of the impending September 1 deadline for
ensuring compliance with these provisions of its rules. Therefore, if an
existing facility, operation or device of a licensee or grantee is not
in compliance with the provisions of 47 CFR 1.1307(b)(1) -- (b)(3), it
is the responsibility of the licensee or grantee to either take action
to bring the facility, operation or device into compliance or file an EA
with the Commission no later than September 1, 2000. After September 1,
2000, if any facility, operation or device is found not to be in
compliance with the Commission's RF exposure guidelines, and if the
required EA has not been filed, the Commission will consider this to be
a violation of its rules resulting in possible fines, forfeiture or
other actions deemed appropriate by the Commission. With respect to
antennas located on fixed structures, it is the responsibility of the
respective licensees, not tower owners, to undertake an environmental
evaluation and file EAs, if required, due to non-compliance with our RF
rules.

It is important to note that the Commission's RF exposure rules apply to
*all* facilities, operations and devices regulated by the Commission.
While a given facility, operation or device might be categorically
excluded from routine evaluation for RF exposure by Section 1.1307(b)(1)
of our rules, it must still comply with the FCC's exposure guidelines.

Consumers should be aware that hand-held cellular and PCS telephones
that were authorized by the FCC *after* the August 1, 1996, effective
date have been evaluated for compliance with FCC guidelines for safe
exposure. Furthermore, PCS devices subject to equipment authorization
have been required to comply with our RF guidelines since 1994. This
means that a large number, if not the majority, of cellular and PCS
telephones now in use in the United States have already been evaluated
for compliance with the FCC's RF exposure limits. To the extent that a
wireless handset received an FCC authorization prior to the August 1,
1996, effective date, and is still being produced and marketed,
manufacturers of such handsets will be required to file EAs if the
handset in question is not in compliance with the FCC's RF guidelines.

Further information on the Commission's RF exposure rules and on
evaluating compliance with FCC RF guidelines may be found at the
Commission's RF Safety Web page:
[www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety](http://www.fcc.gov/oet/rfsafety). In
particular, the Office of Engineering and Technology's OET Bulletin 65
and supplements to this bulletin (all available at the Web Site for
viewing and downloading) offer detailed guidance on evaluating
compliance. Requests for information or copies of these documents can
also be directed to the FCC's RF Safety Program in the Office of
Engineering and Technology, (202) 418-2464 or by e-mail to:
rfsafety@fcc.gov.

For information on specific filing procedures for EAs, licensees and
grantees should consult the following Web Sites or contact the
appropriate FCC office or bureau:

> Wireless Telecommunications Bureau:
> [www.fcc.gov/wtb;](http://www.fcc.gov/wtb;) Irene Griffith: (202)
>
> 418-1315.

-   Mass Media Bureau: [www.fcc.gov/mmb;](http://www.fcc.gov/mmb;) FM
    (Brian Butler): (202) 418-2700;

> AM (Joseph Szczesny): (202) 418-2700; TV (John Morgan): (202)
> 418-1600.

-   International Bureau:
    [www.fcc.gov/ib;](http://www.fcc.gov/ib;) (202) 418-2222.

-   Office of Engineering and Technology:
    [www.fcc.gov/oet;](http://www.fcc.gov/oet;) (202) 418-2464.