The European Commission has backed France over Ireland in a dispute over Apple iPhone safety concerns.
In 2023, the French market surveillance authority, Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) demanded that certain iPhone 12 models were withdrawn from sale in France because, the agency said, the phone produced too much radiation.
Under EU law, mobile phones must not exceed 4 W/kg of Specific Absorption Rate (SAR).
In other words, phones must not give off more than four watts of energy per kilo of body tissue.
Excessive heat close to the body can cause harm, especially to sensitive parts of the anatomy, according to the experts.
Testing by the French authorities found that one model of iPhone, the iPhone 12 A2403 exceeded the allowed limit.
Other iPhone 12 models including Mini, Pro and Pro Max were not found to be in breach.
But Ireland rejected the French tests.
Testing by Ireland’s regulator, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), claimed to find that the iPhone was compliant with the law.
Backing Apple, the Irish government formally contested the move by France to halt iPhone sales.
After a lengthy investigation by the European Commission, the EU has now sided with France.
“The Commission considers that the national measure [by France] is justified”, it said in a formal decision notice.
The French government has been quick to sound victorious.
Those iPhone 12s were “not up to safety standards in France”, said French foreign minister, Jean-Noël Barrot.
Apple continues to contest that.
The company, which has its European headquarters in Ireland, argued that “iPhone 12 A2403 is safe to use and has always been so”.
However, under pressure from the EU, the Apple has now announced that it is turning down the radio power on certain iPhones to draw a line under the issue.
“We continue to disagree with the French ANFR’s testing approach, [but] respect the European Commission’s decision,” Apple said in a statement.
“Customers can use their iPhone 12 with full confidence, just as they always have”, the company added.
Apple will use a software update to reduce radio power to its iPhones sold across the EU.