High radiation values: EU confirms French action against iPhone 12

In September 2023 the French regulator ANFR (Agence Nationale des Fréquences) ordered the temporary withdrawal of the iPhone 12 from the French market after tests showed the device exceeded the EU limb SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) limit. Reported measurements reached 5.74 W/kg vs the EU limb limit of 4.0 W/kg.

Key facts

• Date of action: 12 September 2023
• Regulator: ANFR (France)
• Measured limb SAR: 5.74 W/kg (limit: 4.0 W/kg)
• EU response: Confirmed/supports France’s enforcement
• Apple: Says iPhone 12 complies with global SAR standards; attributed discrepancy to a test method not accounting for an “off-body detection” feature; released a software update to address the issue.

Sources: TechCrunch report, Apple Support notice.

What this means

The ANFR’s findings led to immediate enforcement in France and were backed by EU authorities. Apple argued the device meets internationally accepted SAR standards and deployed a software fix to prevent higher transmission in certain off-body conditions. The episode highlights differences in test protocols and how regulators interpret compliance.

Questions for readers

Were you surprised by these findings? Do you trust manufacturer SAR claims or regulator tests more? Share your thoughts below.