Warning from the Russian Consumer Protection Agency Following France’s Ban on iPhone 12 Due to High Electromagnetic Radiation Emissions.
The Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) stated that radiation from all mobile phones poses health risks and these devices should be used “sparingly.” This response comes amid speculation that Russia might follow France’s lead and ban the sale of iPhone 12.
“Radiation from mobile phones is dangerous to humans, especially children. It is crucial to adhere to safety guidelines when using mobile phones: calls should not last longer than two minutes and there should be a minimum pause of at least 15 minutes between calls”, a spokesperson for Rospotrebnadzor noted, as reported by Russian news outlet Gazeta.
The representative of Rospotrebnadzor further added that mobile phones should be kept away from users while they are sleeping and ideally should be carried in a bag rather than being kept close to the body.
France has banned the sale of iPhone 12 due to concerns over high radiation levels. (Photo: Getty Images).
Earlier this month, the French National Frequency Agency (ANFR) requested Apple to stop selling the iPhone 12 in the country after it was found that this device emitted electromagnetic radiation exceeding the limits set by the European Union.
ANFR reported that tests conducted at an accredited laboratory indicated that the iPhone 12 exceeded the specific absorption rate (SAR) value mandated by the EU, reaching up to 4 watts per kilogram (W/kg) when held in hand or placed in a pocket. However, the SAR “body”, measured when the phone is in a jacket pocket or handbag at least 5 mm away, remained within the limit of 2 W/kg.
Rospotrebnadzor does not consider such a ban as necessary. The spokesperson mentioned that Russia measures electromagnetic radiation using the PES scale rather than the SAR system, thus making the results “not directly comparable.”
The iPhone 12 was introduced in October 2020 and continues to be popular due to its lower price compared to subsequent models. Apple has contested the testing results from France, claiming that this model has an SAR of 0.99 W/kg when measured according to EU standards.
However, this American technology “giant” has previously faced accusations of violating radiation standards. In the U.S., Apple and South Korean manufacturer Samsung were sued in 2019 after a study revealed that the iPhone 8, iPhone X, and Galaxy S8 exceeded federal radiation limits by up to 500%.
