The harmonized standard EN 50360

The En 50360 is the limit values of human exposure to electromagnetic fields that radio equipment used in contact with the ear must comply in their normal operation.

The goal of the standard is to demonstrate that the devices conform to the basic restrictions and exposure limits on human exposure to electromagnetic fields.

The EN standard 50360 It has been prepared and issued by CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), which it is the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization, and it is applied to demonstrate compliance with the essential requirements of the Radio Directive 2014/53 / EU, art. 3.1 (a).

Field of application: The standard applies to wireless communication devices used close to the ear, in the frequency range from 300 MHz a 6 Ghz.

Among the equipment subject to the norm EN 50360 there are:

cell phones
Wireless headphones
walkie-talkie

MAIN CONTENT OF THE STANDARD

The EN standard 50360 specifies limits of SAR (Specific Absorption Rate), ie the measure of the percentage of electromagnetic energy absorbed by the human body when it is exposed to the action of an electromagnetic field at radio frequency (RF), that must be respected for transmitting devices used close to the ear.

SAR (Specific Absorption Rate)

The SAR is a very important parameter to characterize the emissions of the devices and their potential harmfulness. On the basis of specific rules, all manufacturers must evaluate the SAR that the equipment can induce in the head as a result of their use. In order to be respected a maximum reference value, the results of these tests, carried out in the laboratory under standard conditions of phantoms that simulate a human head, They can be found in the product manuals, which must report the maximum SAR value measured for the given equipment model.

The SAR value is expressed in J / kg x s = W / kg (Watts kilogram), which expresses the energy absorbed in a certain time by a unitary element of mass; consequently it will be calculated in watts per kg.

The law distinguishes between basic restrictions of the SAR value for equipment intended for use by the general population from those for equipment intended to be used by workers, referring to the EU Council Recommendation 1999/519 / EC and Directive 2013/35 / EU, respectively.

Human exposure to electromagnetic fields

The alleged harm to human health of exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF) has been for several years the object of interest in both the scientific and public, in particular as it regards the use of mobile phones.

The cellular technology generates electromagnetic fields in two ways:

first, through antennas located in cities and roads;
secondly, by the same devices that transmit antennas.

The way in which these electromagnetic fields interact with biological organisms depends on their energy and frequency. The human body is transparent to some frequencies than other: for example, sunlight penetrates deeply into the skin and is totally absorbed, while the electromagnetic fields can pass through the body. Equally important is the aspect of energy, why special creams exist to protect themselves by particularly strong solar rays.

For these reasons, EN standard 50360 and the other verification rules ofhuman exposure electromagnetic fields report the recommended exposure limits for equipment used near the ear and the human body.

In today's society, exposure to electromagnetic fields is inevitable, Also due to the increased use of mobile phones and even the density of mobile phone antennas in the cities. Quindi, the question whether devices used are harmful to your ear or not health is of particular importance.

To date there is no scientific evidence proving the presence of the harmful effects of human exposure to RF electromagnetic fields at typical levels found in commonly frequented by the population.

You must remember that there is no data on the effects on long-term health of exposure, given the recent age of mobile technology devices and the significant commitment that these studies require, both in terms of time and costs.

Where to find the values of SAR

Usually, the values are given in the printed manual included in the smartphone just purchased and / or the digital manual that you can download from the official site. It should be wary of unofficial sites and rely only from trusted sources such as the producer or certification bodies.

New technologies always present risks and opportunities, for this it is essential to be accompanied by expert figures in the industry as Sicom Testing, competent testing laboratory in the evaluation ofhuman exposure to electromagnetic fields and in SAR measures.