Apple’s iPhone 12 faces a regulatory challenge in France as the country’s National Frequency Agency has ordered the tech giant to withdraw the product from French markets. The decision is based on concerns that the iPhone 12 emits excessive radiation levels.

The French agency, responsible for monitoring electromagnetic radiation emissions, has informed Apple that it will closely monitor future updates to the iPhone 12 to assess whether they can effectively reduce radiation output. If these updates fail to bring the device into compliance with regulatory limits, the agency reserves the right to mandate a product recall.

Apple has countered these allegations, asserting that the iPhone 12 is fully compliant with existing regulations. The company has not yet issued an official response to the French regulatory action.

According to the National Frequency Agency, their testing involved 141 smartphones, and their findings revealed that the iPhone 12 exceeds the allowable radiation levels when held in the hand or placed in a pocket. Specifically, the iPhone 12 was reported to emit 5.74 watts per kilogram, surpassing the legal limit of 4 watts per kilogram.

Jean-Noël Barrot, a French minister overseeing tech matters, emphasized that while the emission levels detected on the iPhone 12 are above regulatory limits, they are not believed to pose immediate harm to users. Barrot explained, “The emission levels seen on the iPhone 12 are significantly lower than levels where scientific studies consider there may be consequences for users. But the rule is the rule.”

Apple, however, has conducted its own laboratory tests, maintaining that the iPhone 12 adheres to all regulatory standards. The discrepancy between the company’s findings and those of the French regulatory agency adds complexity to this situation.

Remarkably, this development unfolded on the same day that Apple unveiled its latest smartphone offering, the iPhone 15, to the public. The iPhone 15 lineup, which includes the iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, and iPhone 15 Pro Max, is scheduled for release on September 22 for many consumers worldwide. Pre-orders for these devices are set to begin on Friday.

Notably, Apple has announced that the iPhone 15 series will feature Dynamic Island and USB-C format charging, features that were previously rumored and have now been confirmed. The pricing for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus will start at $799 and $899, respectively, maintaining the same starting price points as their predecessors.

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