IPhone 12 marketing can resume in mainland France following exceedance of the specific absorption r

As the market surveillance authority for radio equipment and responsible for controlling public exposure to electromagnetic fields, the ANFR tested Apple’s iPhone 12 to check compliance with limit SAR values. SAR is a measure of the rate of radiofrequency energy absorbed by the body from the equipment being measured. Measures showed that the iPhone 12 “limb” SAR exceeded the limit set by the applicable standards. 
Pursuant to article L. 43, II bis, of the French Postal and Electronic Communications Code (CPCE), on the 12 September 2023, the ANFR addressed a decision to temporarily withdraw the iPhone 12 from the market to Apple, demanding it adopt all appropriate measures to bring all equipment, on the market or already in use, into compliance. 
Apple developed a software evolution that the ANFR was able to approve as it effectively brings the “limb” SAR value below the regulatory limit of 4 W/kg. This feature is included in an update that was first released to a number of volunteer Apple clients (“beta-testers”) and is now available to all users since yesterday evening. This software evolution will effectively adjust the SAR values on mobile networks in mainland France. The marketing ban is therefore withdrawn in mainland France. 

Nevertheless, considering this software evolution is not functional in France’s overseas departments, the ban on making the iPhone 12 available on the market remains in these departments (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Guyane, La Réunion, Mayotte) as well as in Saint-Martin. The ANFR takes note that this feature will be included in a future update that Apple will broadcast overseas before year end. 

As for France’s remaining overseas territories (Saint-Barthélemy, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, TAAF, Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna, Polynésie française), they fall under different legal frameworks. 

The ANFR, acting in conjunction with the national authorities competent for the surveillance of the European single market, has notified this non-compliance to the European Commission and to all Member States. A European procedure is underway to enable other countries of the Union to adopt appropriate restrictive measures on their territory. 

The test results, detailed in a report available online on the site data.anfr.fr, are summarized below.

Téléphone Apple 12 (A2403)

For further information :

• Analysis of SAR measurements from 2022
•  All you need to know on SAR
•  A video showing how accredited laboratories measure SAR

Find all the SAR measurements carried out by the ANFR on mobile phones on our website: https://data.anfr.fr/  

ANFR press contact 

presse@anfr.fr 

07 86 20 11 33