ALBAWABA – Apple’s iPhone 12 is now banned in France after regulators on Tuesday order the phonemakers to halt all further sales of the handset, news agencies reported.
According Agence France-Presse (AFP), the French authorities banned sale of the device for emitting too much radiation, and ordered the company to fix existing devices.
ANFR, the French agency that regulates radio frequencies, said tests found that the model emits more electromagnetic waves susceptible to be absorbed by the body than permitted.
The regulator "ordered Apple to remove the iPhone 12 from the French market from September 12 due to the model exceeding the [electromagnetic radiation] limit".
As a result, Apple’s iPhone 12 is now banned in France
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Apple’s iPhone 12 is now banned in France for emitting too much radiation - Shutterstock
Accredited labs had found absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests simulating when the phone was being held in the hand or kept in a pocket, AFP reported.
The European standard is a specific absorption rate of 4.0 watts per kilogram in such tests.
"Concerning phones already sold, Apple must in the briefest of delays take corrective measures to bring the affected phones into compliance," ANFR said in a statement on its website.
"Otherwise, Apple will have to recall them."
ANFR noted that tests that measure the electromagnetic radiation absorbed at a distance of five centimetres was in compliance with the limit of 2.0 watts per kilogram. But the radiation absorbed at short distances was not.
Makers dispute French claims, but Apple’s iPhone 12 is now banned in France
The regulator warned its agents would verify beginning Wednesday that iPhone 12 models were no longer being offered for sale in France.
When contacted by AFP, Apple disputed the ANFR's results, saying it had presented multiple independent analyses showing the devices were in compliance.
Nonetheless, the company will continue to work with the regulator, the told AFP.
The World Health Organization states on its website that following a large number of studies that "no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use".
News of the ban in France same as Apple unveiled its new iPhone 15 line-up, the first to feature a universal charging port in place of its unique "Lightning" ports after a tussle with European regulators.
Apple’s iPhone 12 is now banned in France as it launches its new iPhone 15 - Shutterstock
The EU is insisting that all phones and other small devices must be compatible with the USB-C charging cables from the end of next year, a move it says will reduce waste and save money for consumers.
"USB-C has become a universally accepted standard. So we're bringing USB-C to iPhone 15," said Kaiann Drance, Apple's vice president of iPhone marketing at a launch event.
