WRITTEN QUESTION P-1844/01 by W.G. van Velzen (PPE-DE) to the Commission. European standard for radiation from mobile phones.
Date: 2001-06-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European standard, consumer protection, mobile phone, non-ionising radiation, product safety, public health, technical standard

20.12.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 364 E/215

(2001/C 364 E/235)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1842/01

by Maria Martens (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(26 June 2001)

Subject: Dutch abortion ship

This month a ship with doctors on board is sailing from the Netherlands in the direction of Ireland in
order to offer Irish women the opportunity to have abortions. The ship is sailing under a Dutch flag. The
abortions will be carried out in international waters.

1.

Is the Commission aware of this initiative of a Dutch abortion ship moored off the coast of Ireland?

How does this initiative stand in relation to European Community law, relevant case-law and

2.
international public law?

Does the Commission think that this initiative may have the effect of undermining Irish law because

3.
the doctors on the ship intend to circumvent Irish law?

Has there been any discussion of this matter in the Commission? If so, what was the outcome? If not,

4.
does the Commission intend to discuss the (cid:145)abortion ship(cid:146) initiative in the near future?

Answer given by Mr Bolkestein on behalf of the Commission

(3 September 2001)

From press information the Commission understands that no measures were taken by the Irish authorities
to prevent the carrying out of the intended activity from the Dutch ship. The Commission further
understands that the Dutch ship has returned to the Netherlands on its own initiative and in these
circumstances there is no need for the Commission to address the matter further at this time.

(2001/C 364 E/236)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1844/01

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

Subject: European standard for radiation from mobile phones

(19 June 2001)

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 (cid:145)The introduction of Third Generation Mobile Communications in the
European Union: State of Play and the Way Forward(cid:146) (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.

C 364 E/216

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.12.2001

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 (cid:145)R & TTE Directive(cid:146)) 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(cid:146)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(cid:146)s Fifth Research and Technological
Development framework programme and notably its thematic programme (cid:145)Quality of Life(cid:146), 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.