French regulators approved Apple’s software update addressing radio-frequency radiation levels in iPhone 12 on Friday, so the handset can remain on the market in that country.
Previously, authorities ordered sales of the phone halted until it complied with European electromagnetic radiation standards.
France approves Apple’s software update addressing iPhone 12 radiation concerns
French authorities said Friday they approved Apple’s software update lowering radio-frequency radiation levels in iPhone 12, according to Reuters.
Apple released iPhone 12 in 2020. It appears the RF radiation issue discovered by the France’s Agence Nationale des Fréquences (ANFR) arose over time via software updates, not from the hardware itself. Now a software update will patch the problem.
The agency called for a halt to sales and a possible product recall when its testing found that when an iPhone 12 is held, the hand absorbs radiation of 5.74 Watts/kg, which is over the limit of 4 W/kg.
“Apple must immediately adopt all necessary measures to prevent the iPhone 12 in the supply chain from being made available on the market,” the agency stated on September 12.
“As for those telephones that are already in use, Apple must adopt all necessary corrective measures to bring the telephones into conformity as soon as possible, otherwise, Apple will have to recall the equipment,” it added.
Apple pledged to fix the problem and assured people the RF radiation level observed in the French tests poses no health hazard.
“We will issue a software update for users in France to accommodate the protocol used by French regulators. We look forward to iPhone 12 continuing to be available in France,” said Apple in its statement to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Belgium said it welcomes Apple’s rapid fix but it will go ahead with its own tests of iPhone 12 and other iPhones for radiation.
