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France SAR regulation
Before the 1st of July 2020 the obligation to display specific absorption rates (SAR) only applied to mobile telephone equipment. The new SAR regulation is signed by the French Minister of Solidarity and Health and Minister of the Economy and Finance. The new regulation has now been extended to all radio equipment, phones, tablets, wireless headsets, etc. For these devices, the regulations already required measuring the SAR, but the display obligation only applied to phone devices. The new regulation concerns manufacturers, importers, and distributors of radio equipment. Due to the new regulation, consumers are more informed to choose equipment.
To which devices does the new SAR regulation apply?
This new regulation applies to all radio equipment placed on the market as from 1st July 2020. All radio equipment with the transmission power higher than 20mW and use distance not exceeding 20 cm from the human head or body must have the SAR values appear in the instructions for use of the equipment and at points of sale near the equipment concerned. This also applies to free distribution and in all advertising. SAR values must appear at the points of sale also of the equipment placed on the market before 1 st July 2020. But equipment placed on the market before 1 st July 2020 does not require the SAR values to appear in the instructions for use of equipment.
France also requires limb SAR to be tested, in addition to the head and body SAR. The limit SAR value for head and trunk 2W/kg and limbs SAR is 4W/kg. It is typically measured using 0mm separation to the SAR phantom.
Important for the distributor to know
Distributors must display SAR values provided by the manufactures of each appliance put on sale from 1st July 2020 at the point of sale or distribution.
Important for the manufacturer to know
For equipment put on the market from 1st July 2020, the SAR value must be available in the operating instruction. This applies to each item of equipment.
For equipment put on the market before 1st July 2020, manufacturers will be in charge of providing the SAR value for the head, trunk, or limbs. This is according to distribution and by any means. Manufacture can use the for example website or email. SAR value must be displayed at the point of sale or distribution free of charge to the final consumer and in all advertising.
What does it mean to put a product on the market?
A product is put on the market when it is first made available on the European Union market. This includes importing it and when the manufacturer or importer first supplies a product to a distributor or end-user or any subsequent supply takes place.
From the SAR Regulation Guide provided by ANFR, you can find a non-exhaustive list of equipment qualified as radio equipment that required SAR testing
Consumer protection has driven an increase in SAR testing and regulations. We at Verkotan are aware of these updated regulations. Subscribe to our newsletter to follow up on the updated information about the regulations. Also, you can read more about the mobile SAR value testing process from our latest article.
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