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Responding to Consumers – An Overview of Industry Actions

Responding to Consumers – An Overview of Industry Actions. Outline of Presentation. Background to the MMF Manufacturers general approach EMF background Our starting point Support for research, regulation and standards Efforts to improve communication Overview of manufacturers initiatives

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Responding to Consumers – An Overview of Industry Actions

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  1. Responding to Consumers – An Overview of Industry Actions

  2. Outline of Presentation • Background to the MMF • Manufacturers general approach • EMF background • Our starting point • Support for research, regulation and standards • Efforts to improve communication • Overview of manufacturers initiatives • SAR reporting • Conclusion

  3. Background to the MMF • International association of radio equipment manufacturers • Representing around 80% of global handset sales; and • The providers of the majority of global network infrastructure • Association's focus: EMF and health • With particular emphasis on supporting research • Related areas of activity: standards and regulatory harmonisation and public communications

  4. Why the controversy? • EMF’s are intangible • Issues of Choice vs. No Choice • Confusion based on inaccurate media reporting on research • Many effects are not repeatable, but they generate controversies and focus on single studies • Confusion over ‘uncertainty’ • Scientific Issues • Inadequate attention to engineering and biological details

  5. Common misunderstandings • No single piece of research can provide a definitive answer • Weight of evidence - all evidence considered as a whole • Can’t prove a negative – i.e. there is no way to prove something does not cause effects

  6. Overview of our response

  7. Our Starting Point Independent Expert ReviewsWebsite Reference • National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB): http://www.nrpb.org.uk 1993, 1999, 2004 - • The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP): 1996, 1998 http://www.icnirp.de • Royal Society of Canada: 1999, 2001 http://www.rsc.ca • UK Independent Expert Group on Mobile Phones (IEGMP – Stewart Report): 2000 http://www.iegmp.org.uk • Health Council of the Netherlands: 2000, 2002, 2004 http://www.gr.nl • French Expert Group (‘Zmirou’): 2001,2003 - http://www.sante.gouv.fr • Spain – Campos electromagnéticos y salud pública (Comité de Expertos Independientes): 2001 http://www.msc.es • German Commission for Radiation Protection (SSK) http://www.ssk.de • European Committee on Toxicology, Eco-toxicology and the Environment (CSTEE): 2001, 2002 http://europa.eu.int • Swedish Radiation Protection Authority (SSI) 2002,2003 http://www.ssi.se • Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority 2003 http://www.nrpa.no

  8. Why more research? • A more complete scientific database leads to more definitive assessments by public health authorities which, in turn, increases public confidence in our products • To accomplish this, the MMF's research program is focussed on addressing the recommendations of the WHO Research Agenda

  9. Independence of Research • MMF Research Principles • WHO Agenda as framework • Funding in co-operation with government or other third parties • No more than 50% industry funding • Independent project management • Government research quality standards eg GLP • All results are published in peer-reviewed journals

  10. Regulatory & Standards Approach • Support a regulatory approach that balances the science as well as the political, community and industry interests. • Support adoption of ICNIRP exposure guidelines • Emphasis on responsible communications and voluntary initiatives of industry in addition to science-based standards

  11. 10X reduction 50X reduction 10X Safety Margin 50X Safety Margin

  12. Improving Communication • Continual effort to review and improve industry communications • Manufacturers own websites, MMF website • Print and Web-based interactive media • Development of public E-learning Modules • Broad stakeholder engagement to identify and address issues at national level • Organisation of media and political briefings with focus on independent advice

  13. Example: SAR Reporting • Industry responded to interest in obtaining SAR values for mobile phones. • Global application, information available in product documentation and on web • The result: around 300 million users now are automatically provided with SAR information.

  14. Conclusions • While the weight of science is clear - manufacturers strive to be open and responsive to consumer questions through: • Supporting regulation and standards based on ICNIRP recommendations • Supporting quality research that strengthens public health policy and public confidence • Improving our communications that address community &consumer issues • As a result, we believe that consumers can continue to enjoy the benefits that mobile telephony provides.

  15. Further Information Michael Milligan Secretary General Mobile Manufacturers ForumDiamant Building, 80 Blvd. A. ReyersB-1030 Brussels BelgiumTel: +32 2 706 8567Fax: +32 2 706 8569Mobile: +32 478 548 901.Email: michael.milligan@mmfai.org

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