Belgium reviews Apple iPhone 12 after France halts sales over radiation

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) – Belgium said on Thursday it would review possible health risks linked to Apple’s iPhone 12, raising the possibility of more European countries banning the model after France ordered a stop sales due to breaches of radiation exposure limits.

Apple disputes the French findings, saying that the iPhone 12, now a relatively old model launched in 2020, was certified by multiple international bodies as compliant with radiation standards.

Researchers have conducted a large number of studies over the past two decades to assess the health risk of mobile phones. According to the World Health Organization, no adverse health effects caused by its use have been established.

But Paris’ measure to stop sales of the iPhone 12 until Apple fixes the radiation problems detected in two tests has raised the possibility of new bans in Europe, although others, such as Italy, said they would not take any action for now.

“It is my duty to ensure that all citizens… are safe,” Mathieu Michel, Belgium’s secretary of state for digitalisation, said in a statement emailed to Reuters.

“I quickly contacted the IBPT-BIPT (regulator) to request an analysis on the potential danger of the product,” Michel said, adding that he had also asked the regulator to review all Apple smartphones, as well as devices made by others. producers, at a later stage.

German network regulator BNetzA reiterated that the work in France could serve as a guide for all of Europe and that it would examine the issue for the German market if the process in France had progressed enough.

He Dutch digital watchdog It also said it was investigating the matter and would seek explanations from the American company, while stressing that there was “no serious security risk.”

Meanwhile, Italy’s Industry Ministry said it was monitoring the situation but was not taking any action for now.

SUPERVISION

Britain, where the iPhone 12 met radiation safety standards when it was launched, has not announced any plans following France’s decision.

In Spain, consumer associations OCU urged authorities to follow France’s measure and stop sales of the iPhone 12.

Industry experts said there were no safety risks as regulatory limits, based on the risk of burns or heatstroke from phone radiation, were set well below the levels where scientists have found evidence of harm. .

Apple does not break down its sales by country or model.

The company launched the iPhone 15 on Tuesday and the three-year-old iPhone 12 is not available to buy from Apple online in France and other European countries. However, it can be purchased from third parties, including Amazon France.

“Limiting sales of the iPhone 12, in and of itself, shouldn’t have that much of an impact for the iPhone. We would be more concerned if newer models were involved,” said DA Davidson analyst Tom Forte, while noting that Apple could face bigger problems. elsewherelike the potential curbs on the use of iPhones in China and new data regulations in Europe.

Apple’s revenue totaled about $95 billion in Europe last year, making the region the second largest behind the Americas. Some estimates say it sold more than 50 million iPhones last year in Europe.

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