With a view to enhance safety standards for mobile handsets, the government plans to amend the Indian Telegraph Rules (ITR), 1951. The move is aimed at ensuring that mobile devices, whether manufactured within the country or imported, display the specific absorption rate (SAR) value, measuring the radiation emitted by a cellphone.

Earlier, in 2012, the government set the SAR value at 1.6 watts a kg. The device manufacturers are required 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.

To ensure that device manufacturers comply with SAR norms set by the government, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), is examining the option of including mobile phones within the definition of the word ‘telegraph’, so that all mobile handsets get certified safe after being screened at local telecom testing laboratories. At present, DoT does not have the power to seek such compliance since mobile handsets are categorised as consumer goods and the ITR, 1951 only covers the telecom network and infrastructure equipment.

The DoT’s move comes in the wake of the government directing the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to finalise safety standards for mobile handsets in coordination with the Telecom Engineering Centre, the technical arm of the department. According to DoT, legal enforcement of SAR norms cannot be ensured unless ITR, 1951 is amended to include mobile phones within the definition of ‘telegraph’

Meanwhile, the DoT is also setting up a Telecom Testing and Security Certification centre that will finalise the testing norms and the BIS will be responsible for formulating product standards for mobile phones which will focus on both the safety and performance aspects.

According to DoT, while all handsets sold in India should support hands-free operation, the SAR value needs to be maintained and manufacturers will have to display the details on each device. At the same time, booklets should have details of safety precautions while using a handset. Going forward, the government will also enforce self declaration by device manufacturers regarding compliance to SAR level and testing of handsets in International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.

Further, DoT is also examining the option of allowing device manufactures to import one or two samples of mobile handsets which may not be in compliance with SAR norms purely for research and development work.