Les téléphones portables et la santé[en][de] 

In 1999, the Commission gave legal effect to the first European standard on public exposure to Electro Magnetic Fields (EMF) generated by mobile phones. The standard was incorporated into Directive 1999/5/EC and obliges manufacturers to ensure that their products do not give rise to adverse effects on health.

Moreover, the Commission considered it necessary to propose a common framework to protect the general public from possible health effects of non-ionising radiation. It sees this as part of its efforts towards ensuring a high level of health protection to the citizens of the Community.

The existing variations and gaps in provisions and guidelines contribute to a sense of confusion and insecurity felt by many Community citizens and undermines confidence in health authorities.

Such a framework can be put in place by Council Recommendation under Article 152 of the EC Treaty and deals with the general principles of limiting exposure so that adverse health effects can be prevented.

In June 1998, the Commission proposed a draft Council Recommendation on the limit of exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz – 300 GHz).

The Recommendation was adopted on the 12th July 1999 by the Council (OJ L 199/59 of 30/07/1999).

Main Policy Options

The main provisions of the Recommendation are to:

• Limit the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields
• Strengthen public awareness about the risks and protection measures against electromagnetic fields
• Establish European standards on electromagnetic fields

The Recommendation requires Member States to report to the Commission on any rules (binding and non-binding) they may adopt at national level. A 2002 report by the Commission provides an update on Member States' efforts to reduce risks related to EMF.

The main areas that are currently being debated include:

• Special risks for children
• Living in the vicinity of base stations
• Pros and cons of hands-free sets
• Credibility of the scientific studies that have been done
• Policy steps that governments should take

The current consensus is that there is no totally convincing scientific evidence linking the electromagnetic fields produced by mobile phones with illnesses. However, some research has suggested that there are some biological side effects whose long-term consequences are unknown. This has been cited as a reason for policy-makers to take a precautionary approach to the issue.