Removal of non-compliant mobile phones from the European market (PhoneGate)

9.10.2019

Question for written answer E-003163-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Michèle Rivasi (Verts/ALE)

Tests on 95 mobile phones carried out by France’s National Frequency Agency (ANFR) in 2015 showed that 85 of them (89%) exceeded the limit of 2 W/kg for the specific absorption rate (SAR) in users. Seventeen mobile phones have since been withdrawn from the French market or updated as a result of these tests.

Articles 40 and 42 of Directive 2014/53/EU (‘RED Directive’) of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment, set out the obligations of economic operators and the Commission concerning corrective measures in respect of, or the withdrawal from the market of, non-compliant or unsafe equipment

How was the Commission informed of the risks posed by these 17 mobile phones, and are these 17 phones currently, or have they previously been, on sale in other European countries?

What corrective measures have been taken and how have consumers been informed?

What conclusions does the Commission draw from this in terms of monitoring the European market?