Jack Rowley, PhD, Senior Director - Research & Sustainability, GSM Association talks about the benefits of global harmonization of RF standards.

1. © GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Benefits of Global Harmonization of RF
Standards – An industry Perspective
Jack Rowley, PhD,
Senior Director Research & Sustainability
GSM Association
SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
HEALTH & SAFETY ASPECTS OF MOBILE TELECOMMUNICATIONS
17th November 2014, The Ashok Hotel, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

2. 1
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Successful harmonisation

3. 2
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Harmonisation benefits everyone
 Consumers:
– International standards.
– Greater choice of products.
– Reduces waste.
 Industry:
– Access to global markets.
– Reduces costs of compliance testing.
– Promotes innovation.
 Government:
– Reduced barriers to trade.
– Mutual recognition of conformance testing.
– Increased access to ICT products and services.

4. 3
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Harmonised RF standards recommended by WHO
 …similar level of health
protection for all people…
 Large disparities...can foster
confusion for regulators and
policy makers, increase public
anxiety…
 Will more conservative limits be
a barrier to the introduction of
new technologies…?

5. 4
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
WHO and ITU recommend ICNIRP limits
‘...endorses the guidelines of the
International Commission on Non-
Ionizing Radiation Protection
(ICNIRP) and encourages Member
States to adopt these international
guidelines...'
WHO Standards and Guidelines
‘If such limits do not exist, or if they
do not cover the frequencies of
interest, then ICNIRP limits
(Appendix I) should be used'
4

6. 5
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Possible reasons to adopt other RF limits
 Additional health protection?
 Reduce typical RF exposure levels?
 Reduce public concern?

7. 6
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Network exposures not related to regulatory limit
Netherlands
GSM900 limit (ICNIRP) = 41 V/m
Measured average = 0.38 V/m
Belgium
GSM900 limit = 3 V/m
Measured average = 0.93 V/m
Wout et al., 2012.
9.5% of limit
0.01% of limit

8. 7
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
SAR limit is of limited relevance for real-
use exposure
 SAR tests under
laboratory
conditions.
 Adaptive power
control in use.
 Technology more
important than
limit value. Model Ear Face SMS2G 3G

9. 8
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Precautionary Measures = Increased Concern
 Study conducted in Australia, Brazil, India, Japan, Germany, The
Netherlands, South Africa, UK and USA.
– Dr Rajesh Shukla (National Council of Applied Economic Research, Delhi)
Base station information
Precautionary limits
Protect sensitive areas
Minimise exposure
Wiedemann, 2011
All precautionary measures increased concern.
More concern ►◄ Less concern

10. 9
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Public RF limits – mobile devices
http://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/mobile-and-health/devices-map

11. 10
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Public RF limits – mobile networks
http://www.gsma.com/publicpolicy/mobile-and-health/networks-map
‘Other’ limits differ
and lack consistent
scientific rationale.

12. 11
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Smart Cities and EMF
Adopt ICNIRP limits.
Adopt wireless antenna friendly policies.
Communicate based on WHO positions.
‘…The evidence to date suggests
exposures to the radio waves
produced by smart meters do not
pose a risk to health …’
- Public Health England (2012)

13. 12
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
Conclusions and Recommendations
 Harmonisations of RF limits brings benefits for consumers, industry
and the public.
 International limits are designed to be protective of all persons.
– Health status and environment considered when developing limits.
 Consider the costs of persisting with non-harmonised RF exposure
limits.
 Monitor international developments and be guided by science in
future reviews of limit values.

14. 13
© GSM Association 2014
J. Rowley, November 2014
 Email:
health@gsma.com
 Website:
www.gsma.com/health
 Twitter:
@GSMAPolicy
Thank you