The French agency that regulates radio frequencies, the ANFR, has notified Apple of its decision to ban iPhone 12 sales after tests showed the Specific Absorption Rate...
The agency noted that tests measuring radiation absorption rates at a distance of 5cms (1.98 inches) showed that the iPhone 12 was in compliance with the limit of 2.0 watts per kilogram.
But it also says that:
The ANFR said accredited labs had measured absorption of electromagnetic energy by the body at 5.74 watts per kilogram during tests simulating when the phone was being held in the hand or kept in a pocket, writes France 24. That’s higher than the European standard absorption rate of 4.0 watts per kilogram.
That sounds like different test methodology was used for the test it is currently failing? There is a difference between “from 5 cm” vs “held in hand” or “kept in a pocket”.
It makes it sound like the iPhone 12 was in compliance earlier, but is not in compliance now with different test methodology.
The SAR limit recommended by The Council of the European Union is 2.0W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue for the body (4.0 W/kg averaged over 10 grams of tissue for the extremities - hands, wrists, ankles and feet).
So, looks like its just two different requirements that have been around since at least 2016 when tomtom posted that. Its low enough to not exceed the body limit when being held away from the body, but not the limit for extremities when being held or body when in pocket.
From the article:
But it also says that:
That sounds like different test methodology was used for the test it is currently failing? There is a difference between “from 5 cm” vs “held in hand” or “kept in a pocket”.
It makes it sound like the iPhone 12 was in compliance earlier, but is not in compliance now with different test methodology.
Source: https://download.tomtom.com/open/manuals/new_GO/html/en-gb/SpecificAbsorptionRate(SAR)compliance-EU.htm
Last modified: 3/3/2016 3:06:39 PM
So, looks like its just two different requirements that have been around since at least 2016 when tomtom posted that. Its low enough to not exceed the body limit when being held away from the body, but not the limit for extremities when being held or body when in pocket.