Recently, France required Apple (AAPL.US) to stop selling the iPhone 12 in the French market due to "excessive radiation levels." This has attracted a lot of attention. On September 12, France's National Frequency Authority (ANFR) issued an announcement stating that test results showed that the electromagnetic radiation value of Apple's iPhone 12 mobile phone exceeded EU standards, and it had asked the company to temporarily remove the phone from the French market starting from that day.
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Although, Apple defended the model, saying that the iPhone 12 launched in 2020 has been certified by multiple international agencies and meets global radiation standards. Apple has provided multiple results from the company and third-party laboratories proving that the phone complies with France's national frequency authority and is challenging the agency's findings.
But subsequently, many European countries, including Belgium and Germany, successively expressed plans to follow up and conduct investigations.
Belgium said on Thursday it would review potential health risks related to Apple's iPhone 12.
"I have a responsibility to ensure the safety of all citizens," Mathieu Michel, Belgium's state secretary for digitalization, said in an emailed statement. "I have quickly contacted the IBPT-BIPT (regulatory agency) to request an analysis of the potential dangers of this product." He added that he also asked the regulatory agency to review all Apple smartphones as well as devices produced by other manufacturers at a later stage.
Germany's network regulator said on Thursday it would investigate radiation issues with Apple's iPhone 12 in the German market if France's investigation made sufficient progress, adding that France's procedures would serve as a guide for Europe as a whole.
"The German Federal Network Agency is in close contact with the French authorities," the regulator said in an interview.
The Dutch digital regulator also said it was investigating the matter and would demand an explanation from the U.S. company, while stressing that "there is no serious security risk."
Italy's Industry Ministry said it was monitoring the situation but had not yet taken any action.
It is understood that over the past two decades, relevant personnel have conducted a large number of studies to assess the health risks posed by mobile phones. But according to the World Health Organization, there is currently no evidence that cell phone use causes adverse health effects.
Apple does not break out sales data by country or model. Last year, the company's total revenue in Europe was about $95 billion, making the region its second-largest after the Americas. The company is estimated to have sold more than 50 million iPhones in Europe last year.