A new victory for Phonegate Alert and the protection of the health of millions of smartphone and connected device users… but incomplete until March 2028…

The European Commission published in the Official Journal, on September 7, 2026, its decision recognizing the new standard EN 50566:2017/A2:2025. This measure concerns devices worn close to the body. It comes six years after France’s formal objection filed in 2020 to obtain trunk SAR tests at contact (0 mm) rather than at a distance (5 mm).

Since 2018, Phonegate Alert has been fighting for the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) to be evaluated under real-world conditions. We have continuously denounced to the authorities the rule in force until 2017, a period when manufacturers could still market phones whose trunk SAR was measured up to 25 mm from the body.

Consequently, as early as 2019, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) recommended measurement at 0 mm. Furthermore, analyses by the French National Frequency Agency (ANFR) revealed that 76% of phones tested in direct contact with the body exceeded the regulatory limit of 2 W/kg.

An important step forward, but with caveats

However, this progress must be qualified. Indeed, the Commission has postponed the withdrawal of the old reference to March 7, 2028. During this 18-month transition, manufacturers can continue to use the old version.

The persistent blind spots of head SAR

In addition, head SAR is still not evaluated at real contact. The work of Professor Om P. Gandhi, published in IEEE Access, demonstrates that an artificial spacing of 10 mm distorts the results and underestimates brain exposure.

Dr Marc Arazi, President of Phonegate Alert:

“Why must consumers’ health still wait until 2028? Is the European Commission protecting citizens or industrial interests? Phonegate Alert will continue its action until a truly reliable and transparent exposure measurement method is applied.”

Reference Documents

• European Commission — Official Journal of the European Union, September 7, 2026: Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2003 recognizing standard EN 50566:2017/A2:2025
• France — 2020 formal objection to European standard EN 50566:2017.
• ANSES — 2019, Mobile phones worn close to the body and health (French)
• Om P. Gandhi — 2019, IEEE Access, Microwave Emissions From Cell Phones Exceed Safety Limits in Europe and the US When Touching the Body