WRITTEN QUESTION P-1844/01

by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 June 2001)

Subject: European standard for radiation from mobile phones

The Dutch paper Financiele Dagblad of 6 June 2001 contained an article on radiation from mobile phones. The Financial Times of 9 June 2001 also considered a new study on the relationship between brain damage and mobile phones. The rapid growth in the sending and receiving of SMS messages, particularly by young people, may represent a new danger to public health. The advent of the low-radiation mobile phone may, according to the FT article, help to prevent these problems.

The Commission statement on The introduction of Third Generation Mobile Communications in the European Union: State of Play and the Way Forward(1) considers the possibility of a single European standard for mobile phone radiation. What stage have the preparations for this European radiation standard reached?

Magcom, a Norwegian mobile phone manufacturer, has developed a magnesium phone which has a maximum radiation level of 0,005 W/kg, compared to a radiation level from most mobile phones currently on the market of around 1 W/kg. Is the Commission aware of the developments at Magcom with regard to low-radiation mobile phones, and does it agree that it would be useful to take this level of 0,005 W/kg as a base line for mobile phones produced in or imported into the EU?

Does the Commission consider it desirable that legislation should be introduced in the European Union requiring the marketers of mobile phones to state on each device the radiation levels emitted, perhaps expressed in SAR (Specific Absorption Rates) and if so, when will the Commission be submitting proposals for this type of legislation?

(1) COM(2001) 141.

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(26 July 2001)

Community law governing radio products in general and GSM handsets in particular oblige manufacturers to ensure that they are safe. In particular article 3.1.a of Directive 1999/5/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment and the mutual recognition of their conformity(1) (the R & TTE Directive) obliges manufacturers to ensure, that their products do not affect the health when used for their intended purpose. The Commission has mandated the European Standardisation Organisations to develop harmonised standards to be recognised under the Directive. The original mandate, which was given in 1993, has recently been renewed. In this revised mandate specific guidance was given to ensure that these standards follow the most up to date scientific knowledge. The standards covering mobile phones have been adopted in January 2001 and were ratified by Cenelec in July 2001. Their references will be published in the Official Journal shortly. The R & TTE Directive establishes that where products meet harmonised standards mandated by the Commission, they are presumed to be safe.

The Community has provided further guidance on the safety levels to be respected. On 12 July 1999, the Council adopted Recommendation 1999/519/EC(2) to Member States limiting the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (EMF) from 0 Herz (Hz) to 300 Gigaherz (Ghz). The full respect of the basic restrictions and reference levels included in the Recommendation will ensure users a high level of protection against acute and long-term effects of non-ionising radiation emitted by such devices. The limits recommended include a safety factor of 50 to cover possible long-term effects in the whole frequency range. The European standards drafted by Cenelec will ensure the compliance of devices put on the market with the Council Recommendation.

The Commission is following actively research in this field, and is also aware of the articles mentioned by the Honourable Member of the European Parliament. The article in Financiele Dagblad of 6 June by Professor Pieper states that it is technically possible to bring down exposure to 0,005 W/kg but he doesn't indicate whether there are indications that the currently applied 2 W/Kg level (the 1,6 W/kg level is the level applied in the United States) causes health problems. As stated in briefing note No 05/2001 of the Parliament on electromagnetic fields and health, the currently available commercial mobile phones expose users in worst case conditions to levels between 0,22 and 1,27 W/kg, i.e. on average a factor 2 below the accepted safety levels. Furthermore a trend is visible that, in order to save battery time, mobile phones transmit at the lowest level needed to maintain communication.

The research that the Commission is aware of has not so far led to clear conclusions. For this reason the Commission has asked the Scientific Committee on Toxicity, Ecotoxicity and the Environment (SCTEE) to deliver an update of its previous opinion published in June 1998 on health risks associated to electromagnetic fields regarding new technologic developments and conditions of exposure, which at the time formed the basis of the recommendation. This will be published during the autumn 2001. At that time, the Commission will consider whether there is a need for further action.

The Commission welcomes the fact that manufacturers increasingly inform users about such levels on a voluntary basis, whereas in addition consumer organisations test mobile phones on a regular basis and provide independent information. Members of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum have further announced that all new mobiles put on the market after the 1st of October will indicate SAR levels measured according to the procedure as adopted by Cenelec. Therefore, the Commission is for the time being not considering obliging manufacturers to inform users about specific absorption rate (SAR) levels.

The Commission will continue to pay close attention to this issue. In addition to seeking advice on the outcome of current research the attention is drawn to the Community's Fifth Research and Technological Development framework programme and notably its thematic programme Quality of Life, through which independent research activities on health effects of electromagnetic fields are conducted.

(1) OJ L 91, 7.4.1999.

(2) OJ L 199, 30.7.1999.