WRITTEN QUESTION E-2837/00

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 September 2000)

Subject: Limiting the electromagnetic radiation of mobile phones through consumer information

1. Is the Commission aware of the research carried out by Dr George Carlo in1999 on behalf of the American telecommunications industry into the link between the use of mobile phones and radiation in the vicinity of mobile phones and sleeplessness, headaches, a rare form of brain cancer with tumours on the outside of the head, benign tumours around the auditory nerve and damage to human DNA research which unfortunately, because of lack of further cooperation with the industry, could not be completed?

2. Is the Commission aware that the United States has obliged manufacturers of mobile phones, with effect from 1 August 2000, to indicate on the side of their phones the strength of the electromagnetic radiation in order to inform consumers of the possible risks and to enable them to choose a phone with the lowest radiation?

3. Until there is tangible evidence that mobile phones present no risk whatsoever to human health, is the Commission prepared, in accordance with the precautionary principle (prevention is better than the cure), to introduce in the European Union in the near future measures similar to those in the US, which would result in the industry being encouraged to supply phones with the lowest possible radiation value?

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(28 November 2000)

1. The Honourable Member refers to work done in the United States on the health effects of using mobile phones which has not been validated scientifically. The Commission would point out that, within the framework of the provisions of the Treaty concerning health protection, it is working to develop an effective policy for protecting people's health. Accordingly, it is supporting a number of studies aimed at further improving knowledge of the potential and actual health effects arising from the use of electromagnetic radiation. These studies should in particular take account of any advances in scientific knowledge in this field which have been scientifically validated.

Apart from this, the Quality of Life Key Action 4 Environment and Health programme under the Fifth Framework Programme of research and technological development has made the health effects of mobile phones one of its priorities. The projects, for which total funding of 9 million is being provided, are concerned in particular with the potential risk of cancer caused by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from mobile phones.

2. The Commission has, in the context of the low voltage Directive(1) and the radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment Directive(2), drafted a mandate for the European standardisation organisation Cenelec, asking for European harmonised standards to ensure conformity with Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC of 12 July 1999(3) while taking due account of standardisation at international level and the technical procedures customary in this field. These standards will be a considerable help in reassuring the public that mobile phones placed on the market comply with the exposure levels recommended in order to protect their health.

3. The levels of health protection set out in Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC are determined by applying a safety factor to the limit values for exposure to radiation. Thus, in keeping with a precautionary approach, they can encompass the long-term effects about which there may still be some scientific uncertainty. The Commission will remain especially vigilant, examine all new scientific evidence, and take any new measures including the revision of the Recommendation before its planned update in 2004 in consultation with the Scientific Steering Committee.

(1) Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonisation of the laws of Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits (OJ L 77, 26.3.1973), as amended.

(2) Council Directive 1999/5/EC of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity (OJ L 91, 7.4.1999).

(3) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.