SAR measurement results

To better inform consumers, the ANFR publishes the results of SAR measurements it has carried out since 2012 as open data as part of its mission to control public exposure to electromagnetic waves and monitor the market. Three types of checks are carried out to assess device compliance:

  • “head SAR” measurement covering the use of the phone against the ear, during voice calls. They show that, except for one phone, these SAR values have always been compliant with applicable regulations, i.e. less than 2 W/kg. 
  • “trunk SAR” measurements are used for uses where the phone is carried near the body, for example in a jacket pocket or a bag. Regulations also provide for a maximum value of 2W/kg but this value is associated with a distance of the mobile phone from the body. For mobile phones, the "trunk" SAR is assessed at a distance of 5 mm from the 6 faces.
  • “limb SAR" measurements , which correspond to the phone being held against a limb, for example, worn in an armband or in a trouser pocket and held in the hand. The regulations provide for a maximum value of 4W/kg. For mobile phones, the "limb" SAR is assessed in contact with the 6 faces.


The ANFR undertook to start checking the “trunk SAR” in 2012, considering the new uses for phones relating to the recommendations to use earphones and relating to data exchange (mobile internet, MMS, etc.). Now, the European R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC which was applicable at the time, provided that manufacturers could choose a distance of between 0 and 25 mm to measure trunk SAR. This variable distance, which was not always mentioned in documentation for users, made checks more complex. The preparation of a new directive opened the possibility of updating the standard. 

It was in this context that between 2012 and 2016, the ANFR carried out additional trunk SAR measurements without using the distances recommended by manufacturers. They could not, therefore, be used to assess the compliance of devices as they went further than the standard. France presented these results to Member states and the European Commission, making it possible to change European regulations. 

All devices sold in France for which the certification file is later than 25 April 2016, were then assessed for the trunk SAR at a distance that cannot exceed 5 mm. This new standard is easier to check while better reflecting current mobile phone uses.

Until July 2020, the regulations imposed checks to be carried out on localised 'head' and “trunk” SARs. Following the entry into force on 1 July 2020 of the Order of 15 November 2019 on "the display of the specific absorption rate of radio equipment and consumer information", the "limb" SAR is now also subject to checks.

The ANFR regularly publishes all new SAR measurements and reports it carries out to guarantee the compliance of radio-electric terminals put on the French market.

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