iPhone 12 Temporarily Pulled from Sale in France
"Active Measures Needed if Electromagnetic Radiation Exceeds Limits"
Concerns have been raised that South Korea should also re-verify whether Apple’s iPhone 12 model meets safety standards following the controversy over exceeding the mobile phone electromagnetic wave standards set by the French National Frequency Agency (ANFR).
Earlier, on the 12th of last month, the French National Frequency Agency tested the specific absorption rate (SAR) of electromagnetic waves for 141 mobile phones distributed in the French market and confirmed that the iPhone 12 absorbed electromagnetic waves exceeding the standard (4.0W/kg), measuring 5.74W/kg. Subsequently, the French National Frequency Agency ordered Apple to halt sales of the iPhone 12 and imposed corrective orders on devices already distributed and sold.
Customers are browsing products at the Apple Store on Garosugil, Gangnam-gu. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@
Since South Korea applies a stricter standard (2W/kg) than France, verification according to domestic standards is urgently needed. Apple met the electromagnetic wave safety standards through a software update for the iPhone 12 on the 29th of last month, just 17 days after the corrective order, and was allowed to resume sales by the French National Frequency Agency.
In response, the Ministry of Science and ICT requested Apple, the manufacturer, to report the related situation on the 13th of last month in accordance with Article 58-11 (Nonconformity Report) of the Radio Waves Act. However, Apple has yet to provide an official response to the Ministry of Science and ICT’s request.
Previously, the iPhone 12 series (4 models) in 2020 was measured below the domestic electromagnetic wave absorption rate (SAR) standard of 2W/kg and received conformity certification from the National Radio Research Agency. South Korea’s measurement was based on a stricter electromagnetic wave absorption rate standard than France’s, and the devices passed accordingly.
However, according to Article 71-2 (Investigation and Measures) of the Radio Waves Act, even devices that have already passed conformity evaluation must undergo re-investigation or retesting for post-verification if it is necessary to confirm whether they are manufactured, imported, and sold according to conformity evaluation standards. According to the 'Status of Response to Nonconforming Equipment' data submitted by the Ministry of Science and ICT, there has been no post-verification of smartphones distributed domestically in the past five years, and no devices have been found to have received nonconforming evaluations.
Byun Jae-il, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, said, "Due to the variety of device types, it is difficult to detect problems solely through the current post-management system without user reports," adding, "Since this issue is directly related to public safety, it is necessary to improve the system so that at least smartphones, which are closely related to people’s daily lives, undergo periodic post-management such as re-investigation and retesting like in France."
Additionally, Representative Byun stated, "The Ministry of Science and ICT should promptly announce the results of the re-verification of the iPhone 12 electromagnetic wave standards to alleviate public anxiety, and if problems are confirmed, strongly demand Apple to suspend sales and issue recall orders."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
