CQ- Govt. plans to amend Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951 to enhance safety standards in mobile handsets

To enhance safety standards for mobile handsets, the Government is planning to change the Indian Telegraph Rules, 1951, to ensure all mobile devices, whether made in this country or abroad, display the specific absorption rate (SAR) value, measuring the radiation emitted by a cellphone, like the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) display.

At present, the SAR value is set at 1.6 watts a kg (w/kg) over a gramme of human tissue and the government will not permit selling of handsets, imported or domestically manufactured, above this level. This level was fixed in 2012. Previously, the SAR value for handsets was two w/kg over 1g of tissue.

In the proposed norms, companies will have to mention the actual SAR measurement value for a particular device and related information in the user manuals. Besides, when ‘*#07#’ is keyed in, handsets should display the maximum SAR level of the device, as mentioned in the user guide.

According to a recent discussion in the department of telecommunications (DoT), the government will include mobile phones within the definition of the word ‘telegraph’, so that all mobile handsets get certified safe after being screened at local labs. Currently,  DoT cannot demand this compliance as mobile handsets are categorised as consumer goods and telegraph only covers the telecom network and infrastructure equipment.

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/4886-cq-govt-plans-to-amend-indian-telegraph-rules,-1951-to-enhance-safety-standards-in-mobile-handsets.html
Source: http://cablequest.org/news/national-news/item/4886-cq-govt-plans-to-amend-indian-telegraph-rules,-1951-to-enhance-safety-standards-in-mobile-handsets.html