ICBE-EMF – 11sep2025
On September 11, 2025, the International Commission on the Biological Effects of Electromagnetic Fields (ICBE-EMF) formally submitted comments regarding its opposition to the French government’s proposal to raise its atypical point threshold for wireless radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic field exposure.
Until now, ANFR (the French National Frequency Agency) has applied a 6 volts per meter (V/m) threshold for atypical points. The proposal would allow ANFR to increase the threshold from 6 V/m to 9 V/m.
ICBE-EMF strongly opposes the proposed measure, stressing that it would place industry’s short-term commercial interests above the health and well-being of the French population and the natural environment.
“Increasing exposure limits from current limits that were approved over two decades ago puts the short-term commercial interests of wireless companies above the health and well-being of people and all of nature in France. What new information about RF-EMF has become available that justifies increased levels of permissible human exposure to this form of radiation?”
ICBE-EMF emphasized that current exposure limits were set nearly 25 years ago based on short-term animal studies and fail to account for long-term health impacts. The submission referenced mounting evidence of cell tower and cell phone radiation health effects and the risks of cell phone radiation, including brain cancer, fertility issues, oxidative stress, DNA damage, sperm damage, and neurological effects.
ICBE-EMF stated that international safety guidelines promoted by ICNIRP and the FCC are based on flawed assumptions. The Commission urged the French authorities to reject the proposed increase and instead establish protective exposure limits grounded in the latest scientific evidence.
“Urgently needed are protective wireless exposure limits for humans and the environment. These limits must be based on scientific evidence rather than on the industry’s misdirected needs for expansion.”
The submission makes clear that raising RF-EMF thresholds is inconsistent with public health protection. ICBE-EMF calls on French authorities to safeguard people and ecosystems from increasing RF-EMF exposures, particularly with the rapid rollout of 5G technologies.
ICBE-EMF Comments to ANFR (English) – (French)
This submission is part of ICBE-EMF’s global effort to raise awareness on the scientific evidence regarding wireless radiation health risks and push for stronger RF exposure protections worldwide. By challenging ANFR’s proposal, ICBE-EMF emphasizes that France should lead Europe in adopting policies that protect both people and biodiversity.
Read more about our published research at ICBE-EMF.org.
Source – ICBE-EMF Submits Comments Opposing Proposal to Raise Wireless Exposure Thresholds in France
