Answer given by Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Commission
4.6.2020
The strict and safe exposure limits for electromagnetic fields recommended at EU level apply for all frequency bands envisaged for 5G. The Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks[1] has a standing mandate from the Commission that includes the independent assessment of potential health risks associated with exposure to electromagnetic fields. The Committee has produced five relevant opinions, the last one in 2015[2], which have not provided any scientific justification to revise the limits set by Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC[3].
The limits recommended by the Council are based on independent guidance, which has been issued by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection[4] and has now been reviewed[5]. The Commission will, therefore, reassess the situation, in relation to the Council Recommendation, in collaboration with the Scientific Committee, and, if needed, with the Scientific Advice Mechanism[6]. This will include an in-depth review of the scientific evidence currently available.
The exposure levels determined by the recommendation have already built in the precautionary principle. It is expected that the exposure to electromagnetic fields when 5G is in use will be very close to the exposure due to 4G and well below the strict limits recommended by the Council.
To support risk assessment, the Commission has invested EUR 49 million on research projects on electromagnetic fields through its Framework Programmes of Research and Innovation[7]. There could be further opportunities for EU support to research on health risks of emerging technologies and digitalisation via the Health Cluster of Horizon Europe.
- [1] https://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/scheer_en
- [2] https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/scientific_committees/emerging/docs/scenihr_o_041.pdf
- [3] https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/9509b04f-1df0-4221-bfa2-c7af77975556/language-en
- [4] https://www.icnirp.org/
- [5] https://www.icnirp.org/en/publications/article/rf-guidelines-2020480.html
- [6] https://ec.europa.eu/research/sam/index.cfm?pg=about
- [7] https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/health-research-and-innovation/environment-and-health_en