France has banned retailers from selling the Apple iPhone 12 because the device’s specific absorption rate (SAR) is above the legal limit. The French National Frequency Authority (ANFR) said that the model exceeded the permissible limits for electromagnetic waves. Therefore, sales of the device should be stopped immediately.
The agency tested 141 cell phones for SAR, including the three-year-old Apple smartphone. It found that the Apple iPhone 12 emitted 5.74 watts per kilogram when the phone was in the pocket. The EU limit for SAR is 4.0 watts per kilogram. In the second test, the iPhone met the requirements. The load was measured at a distance of 5 mm from the human body, with the limit being 2.0 W/kg.
The ANFR statement said Apple must take “all available means” to resolve this issue quickly. Otherwise, all devices sold in the European country will be ordered to be recalled. According to Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s junior minister for digital economy, Apple may fix the problem with a software update. A corresponding patch for the Apple iPhone 12 is expected within two weeks.
According to some scientific studies, the SAR limits set by the European Union protect users from an increased risk of cancer. According to Barrot, the data collected by the ANFR was also sent to regulators in other EU member states.
He also said that the problems could have a snowball effect on the Apple iPhone 12. In fact, Apple has already sold millions of devices since its market launch in September 2020. And with the release of the Apple iPhone 15 series, the entire 12 series will be discontinued. Therefore, it is unlikely that the move will have a noticeable impact on Apple’s balance sheet.
