1. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Health and Consumers EU activities concerning EMF Public hearing on electromagnetic hypersensitivity Brussels, 4 November 2014 European Economic and Social Committee Meroni Donata European Commission- DG SANTE

2. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC on the limitation of the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz)  Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment which will repeal the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC by June 2016  Directive 2014/35/EU on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits repealing the low voltage directive 2006/95/EC by April 2016  Directive 2014/53/EU on radio equipment which will repeal the R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC by June 2016  Directive 2014/35/EU on the market of electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits repealing the low voltage directive 2006/95/EC by April 2016 Directive 2013/35/EU replacing Directive 2004/40/EC on the exposure of workers to EMF

3. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Directive 2013/35/EU replacing Directive 2004/40/EC on the exposure of workers to EMF Adopted on 26.06.2013; transposition by MS by 1 July 2016 Concerns exposure to EMF (up to 300 GHz) for workers Covers all known direct biophysical effects and indirect effects caused by EMF Does not cover possible long-term effects If new scientific evidence is produced, possible amendment of the directive Workers

4. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Non-binding guide to good practice Scope: To facilitate implementation of the directive Published by 31 December 2015 Translated in all official EU languages Main focus of the guide: the determination of exposure, taking into account appropriate European or international standards guidance on demonstrating compliance in special types of non-uniform exposure in specific situations, based on well- established dosimetry the conduct of the risk assessment and, wherever possible, the provision of simplified techniques, taking into account in particular the needs of SMEs Workers (cont)

5. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC on the limitation of the exposure of the general public to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz to 300 GHz) The Recommendation is not binding Provides a common EU framework setting limits for the exposure of the general public It is used as a guideline for the implementation of other Community policies Encourages research Allows the EU to participate in the work of international organisations and to promote international consensus on guidelines Keeps matters under review Public

6. ? Research (cont) More than 37 million euros have been spent in research on EMF since 1998

7. Research (cont) Objective: assess the risk of brain tumours in young people in relation to: childhood and adolescent exposure to EMF and ELF from communication technologies; other potential environmental and host factors Main objective: close knowledge gaps regarding exposure to wireless network devices Seawind Main objectives: Generate new knowledge on possible health effects of RF and IF (focusing on the risk of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, behaviour, reproductive outcomes and ageing).

8. Research (cont) Main objective: to investigate the underlying biophysical mechanisms and to clarify a possible causal relationship between ELF MF exposure and cancer, especially childhood leukaemia Main objective: Develop effective mechanisms to reduce 50% (at least) of the public exposure to EMF, without compromising the quality of service

9. Promote international cooperation/guidelines Work with international organisations and promote consensus on guidelines - 2014 WHO Advisory Committee of the International Electromagnetic Fields Project- June 8 th International Workshop on Biological effects on EEMF Varna – September EC Hearing and workshop in Athens - March

10. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Keep the matters under review Risk assessment at the Commission (non-food Scientific Committees) The Scientific Committee on Emerging or Newly Identified Health Risks (SCENIHR) Advice on: Emerging risks Newly identified risks Broad, complex or multidisciplinary issues requiring comprehensive assessment

11. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Objectives and principles EU policy based on best available scientific knowledge Independent committee, eminent scientists appointed on their own capacity carrying out meta-data analysis The scientific advisory structure is based on principles of: Separation between risk assessment and risk management Independence, excellence and transparency SCENIHR

12. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers EMF SCENIHR opinions 30 October 2001 – Opinion on Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), Radio Frequency Fields (RF) and Microwave Radiation on human health 21 March 2007 – Opinion on Possible health effects of Electromagnetic fields (EMF) on Human Health 19 January 2009 – Opinion on Health Effects of Exposure to EMF 6 July 2009 - Research needs and methodology to address the remaining knowledge gaps on the potential health effects of EMF

13. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers SCENIHR- 12 December 2013 - Preliminary opinion on Potential health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) The opinion was presented in Athens in a public hearing in March 2014 Underwent a public consultation from 4 February to 16 April 2014 Currently under finalisation,expected beginning 2015

14. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers WHO publication on Electromagnetic hypersensitivity (December 2005) Conclusion:Whatever its cause, EHS can be a disabling problem for the affected individual. EHS has no clear diagnostic criteria and there is no scientific basis to link EHS symptoms to EMF exposure. Does Electromagnetic hypersensitivity relate to EMF? 2009 SCENIHR opinion Conclusion: Scientific studies have failed to provide support for an effect of RF fields on self-reported symptoms ….Scientific studies have indicated that a nocebo effect may play a role in symptom formation. 2013 SCENIHR preliminary opinion: Conclusion: Overall, there is evidence that exposure to RF fields does not cause symptoms or affect cognitive function in humans.

15. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers Symptoms attributed to electromagnetic hypersensitivity can be a very serious disabling problem for the affected individual. A substantial amount of research has been carried out to assess whether exposure to electromagnetic fields and in particular to radio-frequency can cause short-term symptoms. Overall, the scientific evidence weighs against an association at the frequency range below the guidance values as foreseen by the Council Recommendation 1999/519/EC. New scientific evidence concerning the potential health effects from exposure to EMF is periodically reviewed by the independent SCENIHR. Conclusions

16. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers The Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union confers the responsibility to the Member States to legislate on the protection of the citizens from the potential effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) The EU has no role in the recognition of specific diseases or syndromes Conclusions

17. Health and Consumers Health and Consumers More info on Public health website http://ec.europa.eu/health/electromagnetic_fields/policy/index_en.htm Scientific Committee website http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/health/electromagnetic_fields/policy/index_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/index_en.htm