National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency ... · National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Page 2 of 76 This publication is a

National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields

November 2009


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This publication is a translation. In case of divergence, the original Arabic text shall prevail.

Contents

1 PRELIMINARY AND GENERAL ................................................................................. 5

1.1 CITATION ................................................................................................................................... 5

1.2 ORIGIN AND STATUS OF THE NATIONAL GUIDELINES .................................................. 5

1.3 PURPOSE ..................................................................................................................................... 5

1.4 SCOPE AND APPLICATION ..................................................................................................... 6

1.5 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS...................................................................................................... 7

1.6 ACRONYMS AND SYMBOLS ................................................................................................ 11

1.7 INTERPRETATION .................................................................................................................. 13

1.8 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 13

2 EXPOSURE LIMITS ..................................................................................................... 15

2.1 GENERAL.................................................................................................................................. 15

2.2 CLASSIFICATION OF EXPOSURE LIMITS .......................................................................... 15

2.3 BASIC RESTRICTIONS ........................................................................................................... 17

2.4 REFERENCE LEVELS .............................................................................................................. 20

2.5 SIMULTANEOUS EXPOSURE TO MULTIPLE FREQUENCY FIELDS .............................. 24

3 COMPLIANCE OF MOBILE OR PORTABLE RADIO DEVICES .... .................... 27

3.1 PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE ..................................................................... 27

3.2 COMPLIANCE OBLIGATIONS OF RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ............................................ 28

3.3 COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENTS .............................................................................................. 30

4 COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR FIXED RF SOURCES ...... ...................... 33

4.1 NOMINATION OF COMPLIANCE SITES .............................................................................. 33

4.2 PARTIES RESPONSIBLE FOR COMPLIANCE ..................................................................... 33

4.3 OBLIGATIONS OF RADIO LICENSEES ................................................................................ 34

4.4 OBLIGATIONS OF PROPERTY OWNERS ............................................................................ 35

4.5 COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENTS .............................................................................................. 36

4.6 REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLIANCE .................................................................................. 36


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5 ENFORCEMENT ........................................................................................................... 37

5.1 ENFORCEMENT POWERS OF THE CITC ............................................................................. 37

5.2 VERIFICATION OF ASSESSMENTS ...................................................................................... 37

6 DISTRIBUTION OF COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION .......... .......................... 39

7 VIOLATIONS ................................................................................................................. 39

8 ENTRY INTO FORCE .................................................................................................. 39

SCHEDULE 1 – DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY ............ ........................................ 40

SCHEDULE 2 – COMPLIANCE DOCUMENTATION ............. ....................................... 41

S2.1 RF CONTROL DOCUMENT REQUIREMENTS .................................................................... 41

S2.2 SITE COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS ....................................................... 42

S2.3 SITE IDENTIFICATION CODE ............................................................................................... 42

S2.4 GRAPHICAL DEPICTION OF EXCLUSION ZONES ............................................................ 42

ANNEX 1 – EXAMPLE ADVISORY TEXT FOR RF TRAINED WORK ER MOBILE OR PORTABLE RADIO DEVICES ............................................................................ 43

ANNEX 2 – DEVELOPMENT OF AN RF SAFETY PROGRAM ..... ............................... 44

A2.1 GENERAL ................................................................................................................................ 44

A2.2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................... 44

A2.3 SAFETY CONTROLS .............................................................................................................. 45

A2.4 TRAINING ................................................................................................................................ 48

A2.5 PERSONAL RF MONITORS ...................................................................................................... 49

A2.6 RF PROTECTIVE CLOTHING ................................................................................................... 49

A2.7 RF OVER EXPOSURE INCIDENTS .......................................................................................... 49

A2.8 IDENTIFICATION OF RF EXCLUSION ZONES ..................................................................... 50

ANNEX 3 – RECOMMENDED RF SAFETY SIGNAGE .................................................. 51

A3.1 TYPE AND NATURE OF RF SAFETY SIGNS .................................................................... 51

A3.2 RF EXPOSURE AWARENESS SIGNS ................................................................................. 52


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ANNEX 4 – RECOMMENDED KEY LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR COMPREHENSIVE RF SAFETY AWARENESS TRAINING ........ ........................ 55

ANNEX 5 – WRITTEN RF SAFETY INFORMATION PROVIDED W ITH A MOBILE OR PORTABLE RADIO DEVICE ............................................................................... 56

ANNEX 6 – TECHNICAL GUIDELINES AND SAFE VERTICAL AN D HORIZONTAL DISTANCES FOR THE INSTALLATION OF BASE S TATION ANTENNAS .................................................................................................................... 57

A6.1 OBJECTIVE ............................................................................................................................ 57

A6.2 SCOPE ..................................................................................................................................... 57

A6.3 DEFINITIONS ........................................................................................................................ 57

A6.4 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................... 57

A6.5 MACRO BTS SITES ............................................................................................................... 58

A6.6 INDOOR AND OUTDOOR MICRO CELLS......................................................................... 69

A6.7 DIGITAL DATA TECHNOLOGY: WI-MAX ....................................................................... 73

A6.8 ASSESSMENT OF OTHER RF SOURCES ........................................................................... 76


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1 Preliminary and General

1.1 Citation This document may be cited as the National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields. Within this document it will be referred to as the National Guidelines.

1.2 Origin and status of the National Guidelines Pursuant to the Telecommunications Act, its Bylaw and the Ordinance establishing, the Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC), the CITC is the entity authorized to regulate the Communication and Information Technology (CIT) sector in the Kingdom. In accordance with Chapter 12, Article 89, of the Bylaw relating to the Telecommunications Act, the CITC may prescribe technical standards in respect of telecommunications equipment and shall publish such technical standards; it may also develop, administer and enforce national guidelines. Consequently, the CITC has issued the National Guidelines to be enforced within the Kingdom. Compliance measures will be administered and enforced by the CITC.

1.3 Purpose The purpose of the National Guidelines is to establish technical regulatory practices for limiting human exposure to radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic fields (EMF) to protect against known adverse health effects from installations or devices emitting RF fields.


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1.4 Scope and Application The National Guidelines establish minimum requirements for the protection of the public and workers from risks to their health arising or likely to arise from their exposure to RF in the frequency range 3 kHz to 300 GHz. The National Guidelines apply to RF exposures from fixed RF sources and installations that fall within the scope of the Act and Bylaws. Examples include (but are not restricted to) fixed RF sources associated with the following radio telecommunications and broadcast technologies:

a) Mobile telephone networks (e.g. GSM, 2G, GSM-R, 3G and Beyond 3G); b) Wireless networks (e.g. Wi-Fi and Wi-Max); c) UHF communication links; d) Microwave communication links; e) Millimetre wave communication links; f) Paging systems; g) Commercial radiocommunication networks and Trunking systems (e.g. the iDEN

system and Tetra); h) Emergency service communications (fire, police, ambulance, maritime); i) HF communications; j) Radio broadcast infrastructure (TV, AM/FM radio) for both analogue and digital

services including DAB and DVB; k) Terrestrial satellite stations including VSAT and internet connections; l) Amateur radio and CB; m) In building radio systems.

The National Guidelines also apply to RF exposures from mobile or portable radio devices that fall within the scope of the Act and Bylaws. Examples include (but are not restricted to) mobile phones, two-way radios (walkie-talkies), wireless microphones, portable Bluetooth devices, cordless phones, iDEN handsets and GMPCS terminals. The National Guidelines do not apply to the following:

a) RF exposure of patients undergoing diagnosis or treatment under medical supervision b) Use of RF by the Military c) RF exposure from radars d) Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of devices e) RF exposure from domestic RF heating appliances such as microwave ovens f) RF exposure from industrial uses of RF for heating, drying or welding g) Accidental ignition of flammable gases or explosives from RF exposures


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1.5 Terms and Definitions Adverse health effect: A biological effect characterised by a harmful change in health. Subjective changes in feelings of well being that result from anxiety about RF exposure or visual or psychological impacts of RF infrastructure, which are not directly related to RF exposure, are not considered to be adverse health effects within the context of these National Guidelines. Antenna: A device that serves as a transducer between a guided wave (e.g. coaxial cable) and a free space wave, or vice versa. It can be used to emit or receive a radio signal. In the National Guidelines, the term antenna is used only for emitting antennas. Antenna Gain: The ratio of the radiation intensity in a given direction to the radiation intensity that would be obtained if the power accepted by the antenna were radiated isotropically. Assessment: The determination of compliance with the public or occupational limits of the National Guidelines (refer definition below for public and occupational limits). Basic restrictions: The mandatory limiting values for human RF exposure expressed in metrics that closely match the biophysical interaction mechanisms of the known adverse health effects. Depending on the frequency of exposure, the metrics used to specify basic restrictions are: current density (J), specific absorption rate (SAR), incident power flux density (Sinc), and specific absorption (SA). Compliance: Conformity with the relevant requirements of the National Guidelines. Compliance boundary: A nominated boundary around a fixed RF source or a mobile or portable radio device that encloses the public and/or occupational exclusion zone (refer definition). Compliance site: A nominated area that incorporates both the public exclusion zone and restricted access areas associated with one or several fixed RF sources. Contact current: The rms magnitude (IC ) of RF current flowing through a biological medium (typically the wrist) when making point contact (e.g. fingertip) with an RF energised surface. It is expressed in units of mA. Current density: The magnitude (J) of a vector (J) for which the integral over a given surface is equal to the rms current flowing through the surface. Current density is expressed in units of rms A/m². It may be derived from the internal electric field strength (Eint in rms V/m) and the electrical conductivity of the medium (σ in S/m) using equation J = σ Eint Current probe: A clamp-on ‘loop’ current transformer for measuring current through the ankle or wrist. Decibel (dB): a logarithmic unit of measurement that expresses the power magnitude of an RF exposure quantity relative to a specified level. Since it expresses a ratio of two (same unit) quantities, it is dimensionless.


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If L represents the ratio of an RF exposure value P1 to another value P0, then the ratio expressed in decibels (LdB) is calculated using the following equations:

=

0

110log20 P

PLdB for P = E, H, IC, IL or J

=

0

110log10 P

PLdB for P = E², H², IC², IL², J², Seq, Sinc, SAR and SA

In the National Guidelines, the dB unit is used to express the upper bound (see definition) of an RF exposure evaluation relative to the best (i.e. most likely) estimate of the evaluation. Electric field: A region associated with a distribution of electric forces acting upon electric charges. Electric field strength: The rms magnitude (E) of the electric field vector (E) expressed in units of V/m. Electromagnetic field: A time and space varying field associated with electric and magnetic forces on electric charges as described by Maxwell’s equations. It can be characterised at any instant by electric (E) and magnetic (H) field vectors. Equivalent plane wave power flux density (Seq): An expression of electric or magnetic field strength in the units of power flux density (W/m²) assuming plane wave conditions. For electric field strength (E), it is calculated as: Seq = E ²/377 For magnetic field strength (H), it is calculated as: Seq = 377 × H ² Equivalent isotropic radiated power: The product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain in a given direction relative to an isotropic antenna. Equivalent radiated power: The product of the power supplied to the antenna and its gain in a given direction relative to a half wave dipole. Evaluation: Determination of RF exposure levels by measurement or calculation. Exposure: In the context of this document, exposure of persons to electric, magnetic or electromagnetic fields or to induced and contact currents other than those originating from physiological processes in the body and other natural phenomena. RF exposure induces electric currents and electric fields inside a person; these are limited by the basic restrictions of the National Guidelines. Fixed RF source: A source of RF that is established for use in a fixed location and which falls within the scope of the National Guidelines. Fixed RF sources may include intentional radiators (e.g. base station antennas) as well as sources of unintentional RF exposure (e.g. leaky transmitter cabinets and transmission line infrastructure). Incident power flux density: The power flux density of the RF exposure that is incident on the surface of the body (Sinc). It does not include the contribution of reflected RF from the surface of the body. Instantaneous: Averaged over a time period of 0.2 sec.


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Integral antenna: An antenna that is: a) permanently attached to equipment; or b) intended for direct attachment to a fixed connector on equipment, without the use of

an external cable. Internal electric field strength: The electric field strength (Eint) induced inside a human body by RF exposure. Limb current: The rms magnitude (IL ) of RF current flowing in a wrist or ankle that has been induced by an RF exposure. It is expressed in units of mA. Localized SAR: The SAR averaged over any 10g of tissue in the shape of a cube. Lower bound: The lower bound of the 80% confidence interval (80% CI) relative to the best (i.e. most likely) estimate of an RF exposure evaluation expressed in dB units. The uncertainty calculations for determining the lower bound should be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. Magnetic field: A region associated with forces acting upon ferromagnetic particles or moving electric charges. Magnetic field strength: The rms magnitude (H) of the magnetic field vector (H) expressed in units of A/m. Microwave hearing effect: An RF bioeffect associated with pulsed RF exposures of the head. It occurs when energy absorbed in the head from strong RF pulses causes sudden thermo-elastic expansion of tissues resulting in mechanical acoustic vibrations that travel through the head to the cochlea of the inner ear. It may be perceived as a buzzing, clicking or hissing sound depending on the RF pulse modulation characteristics and is most commonly associated with high power radar exposures. It can generally only be perceived in very quiet environments. Mobile or portable radio device: A radiocommunications transmitter that is established for use:

a) in motion, on land, water or in the air, or b) in a stationary position at unspecified points on land, water or in the air

Examples of such devices include mobile phones, wireless modems and vehicle mounted radio communication systems. Occupational limits: Occupational limits are provided for the basic restrictions and reference levels which shall apply to the exposure of designated RF trained workers (see definition) who have been formally identified as such under a workplace RF safety program. The basic restrictions and reference levels are defined in section 2 of the National Guidelines. Occupational exclusion zone: An area where RF exposures have been assessed to exceed the Occupational limits. Pinna: The largely cartilaginous projecting portion of the outer ear consisting of the helix, lobule and anti-helix.


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Power flux density: The magnitude (S) of the time average Poynting vector (S). It represents the rate of flow of RF energy through a unit area normal to the direction of the wave propagation, and is expressed in units of W/m². It can be calculated at any point in space as the real part of the vector cross product (ℜ ) of the rms vector phasor electric field (ES) and the complex complement of the rms vector phasor magnetic field (HS

*): { }∗×ℜ= SS HES Poynting vector: The vector cross product (S) of the electric (E) and magnetic (H) field:

S = E × H Property owner: The owner of any property (as specified in the land titles) that contains a fixed RF source. Public limits: Public limits are provided for the basic restrictions and reference levels which shall apply to:

a) RF exposure to all persons, except RF trained workers; b) All mobile or portable radio devices that are certified not to exceed the public limit.

(e.g. mobile phones, wireless modems, Wi-Max and Wi-Fi peripherals, cordless handsets).

The basic restrictions and reference levels are defined in section 2 of the National Guidelines. Public exclusion zone: An area where RF exposures have been assessed to exceed the Public limits, but not the Occupational limits. Radiofrequency: A frequency of electromagnetic field oscillations that is useful for radio transmission and which for the purpose of the National Guidelines extends between 3 kHz and 300 GHz. Reference levels: Practical exposure levels derived from the basic restrictions that may be used as a simpler, but more conservative, alternative approach for determining compliance with the basic restrictions. Only when the reference level is exceeded should a determination of the basic restrictions be made, since exceeding the reference level does not necessarily mean that the basic restriction has been exceeded. RF emitter: A fixed, mobile or portable RF source. RF Exposure meter: An RF survey instrument for measuring ambient electric or magnetic field strengths. RF personal monitor: An RF monitoring device carried on a person that is designed to alert the user when ambient E or H field exposures exceed the corresponding reference levels. RF safety program (RFSP): An organised system of policies, procedures, practices and plans designed to protect against hazards associated with RF fields, contact voltage, and contact and induced currents. RFSP’s should be documented in writing. RF trained worker: A person who:

a) is aged 16 years or older, and; b) is potentially RF exposed above the Public limits as a consequence of paid or

volunteer work duties, and; c) attends an RF safety program, and; d) is trained in safe RF work practices, and;


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e) has been medically assessed for fitness to work at RF exposures up to the occupational limits.

Risk: The likelihood or probability that a person will be harmed by a particular hazard. Root mean square (rms): The square root of the mean of the square of a time variant function, F(t), over a specified time period from t1 to t2. It is derived by first squaring the function and then determining the mean value of the squares obtained, and taking the square root of that

mean value, i.e. Frms =F(t)[ ]2dt

t1

t2∫t2 − t1

Specific absorption (SA): The energy absorbed per unit mass of biological tissue during an RF pulse. It is expressed in units of joule per kilogram (J/kg). SA is the time integral of the specific RF energy absorption rate during a pulse. Specific absorption rate (SAR): The rate at which RF energy is absorbed in body tissues expressed in units of W/kg. It may be calculated at any point in the body from Eint (rms V/m)

by the following relation: SAR=σ Eint( )

2

ρ where σ is the electrical conductivity (S/m) and ρ

is the mass density (kg/m³) of the tissue. Transmission losses: A general term for the reduction of power in a transmitted radio signal resulting from any effects such as feeder/cable attenuation. Upper bound: The upper bound of the 80% confidence interval (80% CI) relative to the best (i.e. most likely) estimate of an RF exposure evaluation expressed in dB units. The uncertainty calculations for determining the upper bound should be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement. Whole body average SAR: The SAR averaged over the entire body in units of W/kg. It is obtained by dividing the total RF power (W) absorbed in the body by the total body mass (kg).

1.6 Acronyms and Symbols 2G/3G Second and third generation digital mobile phone standards 80% CI 80% confidence interval of the uncertainty for an RF exposure

evaluation BTS Base Transmitter Station CB Citizen Band radio CITC Communications and Information Technology Commission for the

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia CT0, CT1, CT2, CT3 Cordless phone telecommunication standards DAB Digital audio broadcasting DAS Distributed Antenna System DECT Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications standard DoC Declaration of Conformity (see Schedule 1) DVB Digital video broadcasting E Electric field vector E Electric field strength (see definition).


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Eint Internal electric field vector Eint Internal electric field strength (see definition) EMF Electromagnetic fields (see definition) EIRP Equivalent isotropic radiated power (see definition) ERP Equivalent radiated power (see definition) GMPCS Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite GPS Global Positioning System GSM The Global System for Mobile communications GSM-R The Global System for Mobile communications-Railways H Magnetic field vector H Magnetic field strength (see definition) HF High Frequency – 3 MHz to 30 MHz ICES / IEEE International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, of the Institute

of Electrical and Electronics Engineers ICNIRP International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection iDen Integrated Digital Enhanced Network IEC International Electrotechnical Commission IC Contact current (see definition) IL Limb current (see definition) J Current density vector J Internal current density (see definition) KSA Kingdom of Saudi Arabia MF Medium Frequency – 300 kHz to 3 MHz OH&S Occupational health and safety PHS Personal Handphone System RF Radiofrequency (see definition) RFCD RF control document (see Schedule 2) rms Root mean square (see definition) S Power flux density (see definition) Sinc Incident power flux density on the body (see definition) Seq Equivalent plane wave power flux density (see definition) SA Specific Absorption (see definition) SAR Specific Absorption Rate (see definition) Tetra Terrestrial Trunked Radio UHF Ultra High Frequency – 300 MHz to 3 GHz UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System VHF Very High Frequency – 30 MHz to 300 MHz VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal WBA SAR Whole body average SAR (see definition) WHO World Health Organization Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity Wi-Max Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access


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1.7 Interpretation In interpreting the provisions of these National Guidelines, the words ‘shall’ and ‘should’ have particular meanings. The presence of the word ‘shall’ indicates that the requirement to which it refers is mandatory. The presence of the word ‘should’ indicates a recommendation – i.e., a requirement that is to be applied as far as is practicable. Schedules to the National Guidelines form an integral part of the National Guidelines. Annexes to the National Guidelines provide information supplementary to the requirements embodied in the National Guidelines. Annexes provide material that will help in interpretation of the National Guidelines.

1.8 References COMAR (2002) IEEE Committee on Man and Radiation. Medical aspects of radiofrequency

radiation overexposure. Health Physics, vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 387-391. ICNIRP 1998, ‘Guidelines for limiting exposure to time-varying electric, magnetic, and

electromagnetic fields (up to 300 GHz)’, Health Physics, vol. 74, no. 4, pp. 494-522. IEC 62311:2007 standard, Assessment of electronic and electrical equipment related to human

exposure restrictions for electromagnetic fields (0 Hz – 300 GHz), The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

IEC 62209-1:2005 standard, Human exposure to radio frequency fields from hand-held and

body-mounted wireless communication devices - Human models, instrumentation, and procedures - Part 1: Procedure to determine the specific absorption rate (SAR) for hand-held devices used in close proximity to the ear (frequency range of 300 MHz to 3 GHz), The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

IEC, 62209-2 standard, Human exposure to radio frequency fields from hand-held and body-

mounted wireless communication devices - Human models, instrumentation, and procedures Part 2: Procedure to determine the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) in the head and body for 30 MHz to 6 GHz Handheld and Body-Mounted Devices used in close proximity to the Body, The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

IEC 62479 standard, Assessment of the compliance of low power electronic and electrical

apparatus with the basic restrictions related to human exposure to electromagnetic fields (10 MHz - 300 GHz). The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

IEEE C95.1- 2005 standard, IEEE Standard for Safety Levels with Respect to Human

Exposure to Radio Frequency Electromagnetic Fields, 3kHz – 300GHz, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, New York.

IEEE C95.2- 1999(R2005) standard, IEEE Standard for Radio Frequency Energy and current

flow Symbols, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, New York.


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IEEE C95.3- 2002(R2007) standard, IEEE Recommended Practice for Measurements and Computations of Radio frequency Electromagnetic Fields With Respect to Human exposure to Such Fields, 100 kHz – 300 GHz, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, New York.

IEEE C95.7- 2005 standard, IEEE Recommended Practice for Radio Frequency Safety

Programs, 3 kHz to 300 GHz, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety, New York.

Interconnection Guidelines, Communications and Information Commission (CITC). Available from CITC web site: www.citc.gov.sa International EMF Dosimetry Handbook, Guidelines for the RF exposure assessment of

metallic implants, Anderson, V & McIntosh, R 2006. http://www.emfdosimetry.org/ ISO/IEC 17020:1998 standard, General criteria for the operation of various types of bodies

performing inspection, The International Standards Organisation and The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 standard, General requirements for the competence of testing and

calibration laboratories, The International Standards Organisation and The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva.

ISO/IEC Guide:1995, ISO Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement, The

International Standards Organisation and The International Electrotechnical Commission, Geneva. (Known also as the ISO GUM)

ITU-T K.61-2008, Recommendation ITU-T K.61. Guidance on measurement and numerical

prediction of electromagnetic fields for compliance with human exposure limits for telecommunication installations. Telecommunication Standardization Sector of ITU.

World Health Organization Website: http://www.who.int/peh-emf/en/


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2 Exposure Limits

2.1 General The National Guidelines provide protection against established adverse health effects by prescribing safe limits on human RF exposure. Due to the complex nature of RF absorption in the body, its dependence of the RF frequency and the various biophysical mechanisms, the RF exposure limits in the National Guidelines are defined using a number of different metrics. These metrics are divided into two types, basic restrictions and reference levels, with public and occupational limits that apply to different circumstances of exposure. The exposure limits in the National Guidelines are generally consistent with the basic restrictions and reference levels recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, 1998).

2.2 Classification of exposure limits

2.2.1 Basic Restrictions and Reference Levels The basic restrictions of the National Guidelines are mandatory limits on human exposure to RF. Depending on the frequency of RF exposure, the physical metrics used to specify the basic restrictions are current density (J), specific absorption rate (SAR), specific absorption (SA) and incident power flux density (Sinc). Separate basic restrictions are specified for SAR averaged over the whole body (WBA SAR) or averaged over small regions of body tissue (localized SAR). The basic restrictions are specified in metrics that are often difficult or impractical to evaluate. Therefore, reference levels, which utilise metrics that are more practical to evaluate, are also provided as an alternative means of demonstrating compliance with the mandatory basic restrictions. The reference levels specified in the National Guidelines are: time averaged and instantaneous electric (E) and magnetic (H) field strengths; limb currents (IL) and; contact currents (IC). For each basic restriction, Table 1 indicates the reference levels that shall be satisfied in order to deem compliance with the corresponding basic restriction. It should be noted that the reference levels have been conservatively formulated so that non-compliance with the reference levels does not necessarily imply non-compliance with the corresponding basic restriction(s). Refer to section 1.5 for detailed definitions of each basic restriction and reference level.


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Basic Restriction Corresponding Reference Levels

Instantaneous J (3 kHz-10 MHz) Instantaneous E and/or H (3 kHz – 10 MHz) and instantaneous IC (3 kHz - 10 MHz)

Time averaged WBA SAR (100 kHz - 10 GHz)

Time averaged E and/or H (100 kHz – 10 GHz)

Time averaged localized SAR in the limbs (100 kHz – 10 GHz)

Time averaged E and/or H (100 kHz– 10 GHz) and/or time averaged IL (10 MHz-110 MHz) and instantaneous IC (10 MHz - 110 MHz)

Time averaged localized SAR in head & torso (100 kHz - 10 GHz)

Time averaged E and/or H (100 kHz - 10 GHz)

Instantaneous SA in the head (300 MHz - 10 GHz)

Instantaneous E and/or H (300 MHz - 10 GHz)

Time averaged Sinc (10 GHz–300 GHz) Time averaged E and/or H (10 GHz - 300 GHz)

Table 1 Relationship between basic restrictions and reference levels. Note that ‘and/or’ implies that either both quantities or individual quantities can be evaluated to show compliance with the basic restrictions, depending on the circumstances of exposure.

2.2.2 Public and Occupational Limits Public and Occupational limiting values are provided for the basic restrictions and reference levels which shall be applied according to the circumstances of exposure. The occupational limits apply to the exposure of designated RF trained workers (see definition) who have been formally identified as such under a workplace RF safety program and are generally exposed under known conditions. By contrast, the public limits apply to individuals of all ages and of varying health status, and may include particularly susceptible groups or individuals. In many cases, members of the public are unaware of their exposure to EMF. It is these considerations that underlie the adoption of more stringent exposure restrictions for the public than for the occupationally exposed population. The public limits also apply to all mobile or portable radio devices that are certified not to exceed the public limit. (e.g. mobile phones, wireless modems, Wi-Max and Wi-Fi peripherals, cordless handsets).


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2.3 Basic Restrictions

2.3.1 General The basic restrictions are intended to provide protection against established adverse health effects as indicated in Table 2. Since each basic restriction applies to a different potential mechanism for harm, they shall each be individually complied with, even where they may overlap in applicable frequency range.

Adverse health effect Relevant basic restriction Unit

Electrostimulation and electric shock or burns

J: internal current density averaged over a specified area

mA/m²

Whole body heating WBA SAR: Specific Absorption Rate averaged over the entire body

W/kg

Localized tissue heating Localized SAR: Specific Absorption Rate averaged over a localized mass of tissue

W/kg

Microwave hearing effect SA: Specific Absorption of RF energy per pulse in a defined mass of tissue

mJ/kg

Surface heating Sinc: incident power flux density averaged over a specified area

W/m²

Table 2 Relationship between established adverse RF health effects and basic restrictions.

2.3.2 Induced Current Density The basic restrictions on current density (J) induced in the head and torso of the body from RF exposure are provided in Table 3. They are primarily intended to provide protection against electrostimulatory effects. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of J:

a) J shall be spatially averaged over any 1 cm² that is oriented perpendicular to the direction of current flow.

b) J shall be time averaged over any continuous 0.2 sec period of RF exposure. c) For RF pulses of duration tp, the equivalent frequency to apply for the J reference

level is ƒ = 1 / (2tp).

Exposure category Frequency range Current density in the head and torso (mA/m² rms)

Public 3 kHz – 10 MHz 2 × ƒkHz

Occupational 3 kHz – 10 MHz 10 × ƒkHz

Table 3 Basic restrictions for current density in the head and torso. The value ƒƒƒƒkHz is the RF exposure frequency in kHz.


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2.3.3 Whole Body Average Specific Absorption Rate The basic restrictions on whole body average specific absorption rate (WBA SAR) are provided in Table 4. They are primarily intended to provide protection against systemic whole body heating effects. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of WBA SAR:

a) WBA SAR shall be evaluated by dividing the total RF power (W) absorbed in the body by the total body mass (kg).

b) WBA SAR shall be time averaged over any continuous 6 minute period of RF exposure.

Exposure category Frequency range WBA SAR (W/kg)

Public 100 kHz – 10 GHz 0.08

Occupational 100 kHz – 10 GHz 0.4

Table 4 WBA SAR basic restrictions.

2.3.4 Localized Specific Absorption Rate The basic restrictions on localized specific absorption rate (localized SAR) are provided in Table 5. They are primarily intended to provide protection against localized tissue heating effects. The basic restrictions for the torso and head (except the pinnas) are lower than those for the limbs in order to provide greater protection for the eyes, brain and other vital organs. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of localized SAR:

a) Localized SAR shall be evaluated by spatially averaging the SAR over any 10g of body tissue in the shape of a cube.

b) Localized SAR shall be time averaged over any continuous 6 minute period of RF exposure.

Exposure category Frequency range Localized SAR in the head & torso

(W/kg)

Localized SAR in the limbs and the pinnae

(W/kg)

Public 100 kHz – 10 GHz 2 4

Occupational 100 kHz – 10 GHz 10 20

Table 5 Basic restrictions for localized SAR in the head/torso and limbs/pinnae.


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2.3.5 Specific Absorption The basic restrictions on specific absorption (SA) in the head for pulsed RF exposures are provided in Table 6. They are primarily intended to provide protection against the microwave hearing effect. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of SA:

a) SA shall be evaluated as the total energy delivered by the RF pulse to any 10g of head tissue, in the shape of a cube, divided by the mass of the cube.

b) The SA basic restriction shall only apply to RF pulses with duration of 50 µs or less.

Exposure category Frequency range SA (mJ/kg)

Public 300 MHz – 10 GHz 2

Occupational 300 MHz – 10 GHz 10

Table 6 Basic restrictions for SA in the head.

2.3.6 Incident Power Flux Density The basic restrictions on power flux density that is incident at the surface of the body (Sinc) are provided in Table 7. They are primarily intended to provide protection against excessive surface heating of the body. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of Sinc:

a) Sinc shall be spatially averaged over any 20 cm² square area that intersects with the surface of the body.

b) Spatial maximum Sinc averaged over any 1 cm² square area in the 20 cm² averaging area defined in 2.3.6(a) shall not exceed 20× the basic restriction values provided in Table 7.

c) Sinc shall be time averaged over any continuous 68/ƒ1.05 minute period of RF exposure, where ƒ is the frequency in GHz.

Exposure category Frequency range Sinc (W/m²)

Public 10 – 300 GHz 10

Occupational 10 – 300 GHz 50

Table 7 Basic restrictions for Sinc at the surface of the body.


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2.4 Reference Levels

2.4.1 Time averaged Electric and Magnetic Field Strength The public and occupational reference levels for the time averaged electric (E) and magnetic (H) field strengths are specified in Table 8 and Table 9. The additional column for Seq (W/m²) is merely a unit conversion of the E and H reference levels in terms of equivalent plane wave power flux density (see definition). It may be noted that for frequencies above 10 MHz, the E and H reference levels convert to the same values of Seq. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of time averaged E and H exposure:

a) E and H exposures shall be evaluated as the ambient RF levels, i.e. unperturbed by the presence of any person.

b) E and H exposures shall be evaluated no closer than 10 cm from the surface of a fixed RF source or from the surface of a mobile or portable device that is not intended for use close to the body.

c) E², H² and Seq shall be time averaged using the averaging times specified in Table 8 and Table 9.

d) E², H² and Seq shall be spatially averaged or assessed as a spatial peak value as specified in Clause 2.4.3.

Frequency range E (V/m rms)

H (A/m rms)

Seq (W/m²)

Averaging time for E², H² or Seq

(min)

100 – 150 kHz 86.8 4.86 — 6

0.15 – 1 MHz 86.8 0.729/ƒ — 6

1 – 10 MHz 86.8 /ƒ 0.5 0.729 /ƒ — 6

10 – 400 MHz 27.4 0.0729 2 6

0.4 – 2 GHz 1.375 × ƒ 0.5 0.00364 × ƒ 0.5 ƒ /200 6

2 – 10 GHz 61.4 0.163 10 6

10 – 300 GHz 61.4 0.163 10 9.6 × 104 /ƒ 1.05

Table 8 Public reference levels for time averaged E and H. The variable ƒƒƒƒ denotes the frequency in MHz.


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H (A/m rms)

Seq (W/m²)

Averaging time for E², H² or Seq

(min)

0.1 – 1 MHz 614 1.63 /ƒ — 6

1 – 10 MHz 614/ƒ 1.63 /ƒ — 6

10 – 400 MHz 61.4 0.163 10 6

0.4 – 2 GHz 3.07×ƒ 0.5 0.00814×ƒ 0.5 ƒ /40 6

2 – 10 GHz 137 0.364 50 6

10 – 300 GHz 137 0.364 50 9.6 × 104 /ƒ 1.05

Table 9 Occupational reference levels for time averaged E and H. The variable ƒƒƒƒ denotes the frequency in MHz.

2.4.2 Instantaneous Electric and Magnetic Field Strength The public and occupational reference levels for instantaneous electric (E) and magnetic (H) field strengths are provided in Table 10 and Table 11. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of instantaneous E and H exposure:

a) E and H exposures shall be evaluated as the ambient RF levels, i.e. unperturbed by the presence of any person.

b) E and H exposures shall be evaluated no closer than 10 cm from the surface of a fixed RF source or from the surface of a mobile or portable device that is not intended for use close to the body.

c) E² and H² shall be time averaged over any continuous 0.2 sec period. d) E² and H² shall be spatially averaged or assessed as a spatial peak value as specified in

Clause 2.4.3.


H (A/m rms)

3 – 100 kHz 123 6.87

100 – 150 kHz 86.8 × 10α 4.86 × 10α

0.15 – 1 MHz 86.8 × 10α (0.729 /ƒ) × 10α

1 – 10 MHz (86.8 /ƒ 0.5) × 10α (0.729 /ƒ) × 10α

10 – 400 MHz 877 2.33

0.4 – 2 GHz 44 × ƒ 0.5 0.116 × ƒ 0.5

2 – 300 GHz 1965 5.22

Table 10 Public reference levels for instantaneous E and H. The variable ƒƒƒƒ denotes the frequency in MHz. The variable αααα is calculated as 0.665 log10(10××××ƒƒƒƒ) + 0.176


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H (A/m rms)

3 – 65 kHz 868 35.3

65 – 100 kHz 868 2.31 /ƒ

0.1 – 1 MHz 614 × 10α (1.63 /ƒ) × 10α

1 – 10 MHz (614/ƒ) × 10α (1.63 /ƒ) × 10α

10 – 400 MHz 1964 5.22

0.4 – 2 GHz 98.2 × ƒ 0.5 0.260 × ƒ 0.5

2 – 300 GHz 4384 11.6

Table 11 Occupational reference levels for instantaneous E and H. The variable ƒƒƒƒ denotes the frequency in MHz. The variable αααα is calculated as 0.665 log10(10××××ƒƒƒƒ) + 0.176

2.4.3 Spatial averaging rules for E and H reference levels The E and H reference levels that are provided in Sections 2.4.1 and 2.4.2 are intended to be spatially averaged values over the entire body of the exposed individual, but with the important condition that the basic restrictions on localized exposure (section 2.3) are not to be exceeded. Spatial averaging should not be applied for the evaluation of mobile or portable radio devices, or in close proximity to primary and re-radiating sources. However, spatial averaging evaluations for the fixed radio sources, addressed in IEEE Std C95.3-2002, shall be deemed suitable if used within the constraints and conditions recommended for spatial averaging in that standard. Information about any spatial averaging scheme used during evaluations should be provided in the assessment report. Although different spatial averaging schemes may be employed, the following schemes are recommended.

a) For frequencies below 10 GHz: For cases where whole body RF exposures of standing persons occurs, measurements should be spatially averaged over a vertical height of 0.2 to 1.8 m at the location of the exposure. For cases that require spatial averaging around a peak spatial field, the spatially averaged measurement is determined by scanning between 0.2 to 1.8 m at the location of exposure to find the peak spatial field in the region. The peak spatial measurement and two additional measurements at vertical points around it, one wavelength above and below, are averaged to determine the spatially averaged value of the field.

b) For frequencies above 10 GHz:

The spatially averaged measurement is determined by scanning between 0.2 to 1.8 m at the location of exposure to find the peak spatial field in the region. The measurements over a square of 20cm2 centred at this location are averaged to determine the spatially averaged value of the field.


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2.4.4 Limb currents The public and occupational reference levels for limb currents (IL) are provided in Table 12.

Exposure category Frequency range I L (mA)

Public 10 – 110 MHz 45

Occupational 10 – 110 MHz 100

Table 12 Reference levels for limb currents. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of IL:

a) IL shall be time averaged over any continuous 6 minute period. b) IL in the lower limb (leg) shall be evaluated as the total current flow through the ankle. c) IL in the upper limb (arm) shall be evaluated as the total current flow through the wrist

while making grasping contact with an RF energised conductor. d) Measured evaluations of IL should be performed using a current probe (see definition)

clamped on the wrist or ankle.

2.4.5 Contact currents The public and occupational reference levels for contact currents (IC) are provided in Table 13.

Exposure category Frequency range I C (mA)

Public 3 – 100 kHz 0.2 × ƒ

0.1 – 110 MHz 20

Occupational 3 – 100 kHz 0.4 × ƒ

0.1 – 110 MHz 40

Table 13 Reference levels for contact currents. The variable ƒƒƒƒ denotes the frequency in kHz. The following rules shall apply to the evaluation of IC:

a) IC shall be time averaged over any continuous 0.2 sec period. b) IC shall be evaluated as the total current flow through the wrist when making fingertip

contact with an RF energised conductor. c) Measured evaluations of IC should be performed using a current probe (see definition)

clamped on the wrist.


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2.5 Simultaneous Exposure to Multiple Frequency Fields

2.5.1 General In situations of simultaneous RF exposure to multiple frequencies, the possibility that these exposures will be additive in their effects shall be considered. In particular, total exposure evaluations of the basic restrictions and reference levels for simultaneous exposure to multiple frequencies shall be performed separately for electrostimulatory and thermal effects on the body as specified in sections 2.5.2 and 2.5.3. For fixed RF sources the compliance site manager is responsible for ensuring simultaneous RF exposures are taken into account (refer sections 4.2 and 4.3).

2.5.2 Basic restrictions For electrostimulatory effects, the current densities arising over any square 10 cm² cross section from simultaneous multiple frequency RF exposures shall be summed according to:

1MHz 10

kHz 3

≤∑=i L, i

i

J

J

where

Ji is the current density at frequency i; JL, i is the current density basic restriction at frequency i given in Table 3;

For whole body thermal effects, WBA SAR shall be summed according to:

∑=

GHz 10

kHz 001

SARWBA SARWBA

i L

i

where

WBA SARi is the WBA SAR caused by RF exposure at frequency i; WBA SARL is the relevant WBA SAR basic restriction specified in Table 4;

For localized thermal effects, the localized SAR in any 10g averaging cube or Sinc averaged over the same surface area of the body from simultaneous multiple frequency RF exposures shall be summed according to:

1SAR Localized

SAR LocalizedGHz 10

kHz 001

≤∑=i L

i

1GHz 300

GHz 01

≤∑>j L

j

S

S

where

Localized SARi is the localized SAR caused by RF exposure at frequency i; Localized SARL is the localized SAR basic restriction given in Table 5; Sj is the incident power flux density at frequency j; SL is the incident power flux density basic restriction given in Table 7.


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2.5.3 Reference levels For electrostimulatory effects from simultaneous multiple frequency RF exposures, the following two total exposure evaluation requirements shall be applied:

1MHz 10

kHz 3

≤∑=i L, i

i

E

E

1MHz 10

kHz 3

≤∑=i L, i

i

H

H

where

Ei is the instantaneous electric field strength at frequency i; EL, i is the instantaneous electric field strength reference level at frequency i given in

Table 10 for public assessments or Table 11 for occupational assessments; Hi is the instantaneous magnetic field strength at frequency i; HL, i is the instantaneous magnetic field strength reference level at frequency i given in

Table 10 for public assessments or Table 11 for occupational assessments; For shock and burn effects from simultaneous multiple frequency induced RF currents at a contact point with an RF energised surface, the following total exposure evaluation requirement shall be applied:

1MHz 110

kHz 3

≤∑=i C, i

i

I

I

where

I i is the contact current component at frequency i; IC, i is the reference level for contact current at frequency i given in Table 13.


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For thermal effects from simultaneous multiple frequency RF exposures, the following three total exposure evaluation requirements shall apply:

1

2GHz 300

kHz 100

≤

∑

=i L, i

i

E

E

1

2GHz 300

kHz 100

≤

∑

=i L, i

i

H

H

1

2MHz 110

MHz 10

≤

∑

=j L, j

j

I

I

where

Ei is the time averaged electric field strengthen at frequency i; EL, i is the time averaged electric field reference level at frequency i specified in Table 8

for public assessments and Table 9 for occupational assessments; Hi is the time averaged magnetic field strength at frequency i; HL, i is the time averaged magnetic field reference level at frequency i specified in

Table 8 for public assessments and Table 9 for occupational assessments; I j is the limb current component at frequency j; IL, j is the reference level for limb current at frequency j specified in Table 12;


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3 Compliance of mobile or portable radio devices

3.1 Parties responsible for compliance Table 14 lists the parties that shall be deemed liable to the CITC for ensuring and demonstrating compliance of mobile or portable radio devices. Assignment of responsibility varies according to the type of the device and whether its use is controlled by a private owner or a non-private (corporate) entity.

Cas

e Device type Control of the device

Responsible parties for ensuring compliance

1 Mobile phones, wireless modems, Wi-Max and Wi-Fi peripherals, and cordless handsets which have not been modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications.

Private The importer or local manufacturer of the device.

2 Non-private

The importer or local manufacturer of the device. The corporate entity which controls the use of the device.

3 Mobile or portable radio device: a) with an integral antenna, AND; b) which has not been modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications, AND; c) is not one of those devices identified in cases 1-2.

Private The importer or local manufacturer of the device.

4 Non-private

The importer or local manufacturer of the device. The corporate entity which controls the use of the device.

5 Other mobile or portable radio devices than those identified in cases 1-4.

Private The private owner of the device

6 Non-private The corporate entity which controls the use of the device.

Table 14 Parties responsible for ensuring and demonstrating compliance of mobile or portable radio devices. The device types for cases 1-4 are intended to encompass mobile or portable radio devices with stable and well-defined radio emission characteristics that would allow the manufacturer or importer to reliably estimate the maximum RF exposure for standard or reasonably foreseeable uses of the device. Device types that may fall under cases 3-4 include wireless microphones, walkie-talkies (or two-ways), camera backs and body mounted radio transceivers. The device types of cases 5-6 encompass devices that have radio emission characteristics that may be significantly altered by the owner or user. These cases typically apply to piecemeal assemblies of transmitters, cabling and antennas that may be arranged in variable ways at the discretion of the user and/or owner. Common examples are vehicle mounted communication systems and external broadcast links. Note that this category also includes those device


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specified in cases 1-4 that have been modified from the original manufacturer’s specifications – e.g. the application of after-market accessories from third party suppliers. With regard to control of the device, the ‘private’ category in Table 14 refers to the use of a mobile or portable radio device that is privately owned. The ‘non-private’ category encompasses all other circumstances where the device is operated under the management control of a commercial, volunteer or government corporate entity that falls within the scope of the National Guidelines.

3.2 Compliance obligations of responsible parties

3.2.1 Importers or local manufacturers Table 15 prescribes compliance obligations on importers or local manufacturers of mobile or portable radio devices (as identified in cases 1-4 in Table 14) that are not inherently compliant (see section 3.3.1).

Case Compliance obligation on the importer or local manufacturer of the device

1, 2 Configure the device by its design and/or user procedures so that it is compliant with the public limits of the National Guidelines.

3, 4 Configure the device by its design and/or user procedures so that it is compliant with either the public or occupational limits of the National Guidelines.

1-4 If compliance of the device is dependent on user procedures (e.g. transmission duty cycles for push to talk devices, or separation distances of the body from the device) then ensure that clear and accessible instructions for such procedures are provided with the device at the point of sale.

3, 4 If the device could produce RF exposures that exceed the public limits during its intended use, then ensure that a clear and accessible written caution advising of this potential exposure and relevant precautions is provided with the device at the point of sale. See Annex 1 for recommended advisory text.

1- 4 Submit a Declaration of Conformity to the CITC for the device (Refer to Schedule 1 for information required in the Declaration of Conformity). However, if the device has been SAR tested for compliance with the National Guidelines (ICNIRP Guidelines) and approved by a laboratory that has accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 standard for the relevant measurement methodologies, or to the ISO/IEC 17020 standard for the relevant calculation methodologies, then the device is deemed to comply with the National Guidelines and a Declaration of Conformity is not required.

Table 15 Compliance requirements for importers or local manufacturers of mobile or portable radio devices identified in cases 1-4 of Table 14.

3.2.2 Corporate entities Table 16 prescribes the compliance obligations on corporate entities (commercial, volunteer or government) with respect to a mobile or portable radio device that is under their management control (as identified in cases 2, 4 and 6 in Table 14) and is not inherently compliant.


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Case Compliance obligation on the corporate entity

2, 4 Ensure that any information provided by the manufacturers or importers of the device, which is pertinent to achieving compliance with the public limits, is made available to all users of the device.

6 Conduct or arrange an RF assessment of the device and implement appropriate user procedures if necessary for compliance.

4, 6 Ensure that only RF Trained workers are permitted to use the device if it generates an RF exposure that exceeds the public limits during its intended use, and that they receive any information pertinent to achieving compliance of the device with the occupational limits. Refer to Annex 5 for an example of how written RF safety information may be provided with the device.

6 Submit a Declaration of Conformity to the CITC for the device. Refer to Schedule 1 for information required in the Declaration of Conformity.

4, 6

Devise and implement an RF safety program for use of all mobile or portable radio devices under the management control of the corporate entity. Refer to Annex 2 for advice on devising an RF safety program.

Table 16 Compliance requirements for corporate entities identified in cases 2, 4, 6 of Table 14.

3.2.3 Private owners Table 17 prescribes the compliance obligations on private owners of a mobile or portable radio device as identified in case 5 in Table 14.

Case Compliance obligation on the private owner

5 Conduct or arrange an RF assessment of the device and devise and implement an RF safety program for its safe use.

5 Ensure that only RF Trained workers are permitted to use devices that are assessed to be compliant with the occupational limits, but not public limits.

Table 17 Compliance requirements for private owners identified in case 5 of Table 14.


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3.3 Compliance assessments

3.3.1 Inherently compliant device Any mobile or portable radio device operating with a net transmitter RF power of less than or equal to 20 mW shall be deemed to be inherently compliant with all of the requirements of the National Guidelines. Higher power devices may be inherently compliant if assessed according to the IEC 62479 standard, using the latest published version at the time of assessment.

3.3.2 Assessment standards SAR assessments of mobile or portable radio devices shall be conducted according to the test methodologies of the IEC 62209-1 and/or IEC 62209-2 standards as applicable, using the latest published version at the time of assessment. In the case of any conflict between the National Guidelines and the IEC 62209 standards, the requirements of the IEC standards shall prevail. Reference level assessments of mobile or portable radio devices shall be conducted according to the test methodologies of the IEC 62311 standard, using the latest published version at the time of assessment. In the case of any conflict between the National Guidelines and the IEC 62311 standard, the requirements of the IEC standard shall prevail. Figure 1 gives a flow chart of information and actions needed to assess compliance of mobile and portable radio devices.


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Determine Source characteristics (frequency/waveform, power, normal usage etc)

Low power/inherently

compliant device? (refer 3.4.1)

Intended to be used with radiating part of device in

close proximity to the human head against the

ear, frequency range 300 MHz to 3 GHz?

Compliant

Assess fields/currents at user position according to IEC62209-1

Assess reference levels at user position according to IEC62311

No

No

Yes

Yes

Intended to be used with radiating part of handheld or body mounted device in close proximity to the body, frequency range 30 MHz to 60 GHz?

Assess fields/currents at user position according to IEC62209-2

No

Yes

Figure 1 Compliance Assessment flowchart for mobile or portable radio devices


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3.3.3 Device conditions during assessment In general, compliance assessments of mobile or portable radio devices shall be based on conditions leading to the highest RF exposure that is possible for the intended use of the device, excluding fault conditions. Push to talk devices (such as walkie talkies or CB radios) shall be presumed to transmit for only 50% of the time over any six-minute period (i.e. a 50% duty cycle).

3.3.4 Reassessment of compliance Compliance of a mobile or portable radio device shall be reassessed if its configuration (device design or operational procedures) is changed in a way that could plausibly lead to the invalidation of the compliance assessment. Possible situations for reassessment are:

a) an increase in maximum transmitter RF power; b) an increase in the duty cycle of the transmitter; c) a reduction in transmission losses to the antenna; d) alteration of the antenna type; e) application of equipment add-ons to the device.


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4 Compliance requirements for fixed RF sources

4.1 Nomination of Compliance Sites A compliance site shall be nominated to the CITC for every fixed RF source (within the scope of the National Guidelines) that generates a public exclusion zone around it. A compliance site may encompass multiple fixed RF sources if these are attached to a common support structure such as a pole, tower, or building. The physical extent of the compliance site shall at least include the public exclusion zones associated with all fixed RF sources within the site. Barriers and/or signs shall be implemented to restrict access to the exclusion zones of the fixed RF sources within the compliance site. A compliance site shall not comprise multiple disconnected areas. If a public or occupational exclusion zone has been identified at a compliance site, appropriate signage, as shown in Annex 3, shall be installed at the site. RF safety signs shall be in Arabic and English.

A Notice sign shall be posted at all access control points to the compliance site indicating that the area beyond that point is under RF management and to alert persons to the potential for exposures exceeding the public limit. If a public exclusion zone exists at a publicly accessible area (i.e. rooftop), a Caution sign shall be posted at the compliance boundary to alert personnel to the possibility of exposures exceeding the public limit. If an occupational exclusion zone exists at an accessible area (i.e. rooftop, support structure), a Warning sign shall be posted at the compliance boundary or access point to alert personnel to the possibility of exposures exceeding the occupational limit.

4.2 Parties responsible for compliance

4.2.1 Radio licensees Radio licensees shall be liable to the CITC for ensuring and demonstrating compliance of any fixed RF source that is associated with the production or transmission of their licensed radio transmissions. Where there are multiple RF sources at a compliance site that are associated with multiple radio licensees, then all radio licensees shall assume shared liability (equally apportioned) to the CITC for compliance at the site. Requirements for multiple RF sources at compliance sites shall comply with the CITC Interconnection Guidelines.

4.2.2 Property owners Properties owners shall comply with any requests specified in section 4.4 from the CITC, radio licensees or their representatives for verifying or maintaining compliance of any fixed RF sources on their property.


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4.3 Obligations of radio licensees

4.3.1 General Section 4.3 specifies obligations on radio licensees for ensuring and demonstrating compliance of any fixed RF source that is associated with the production or transmission of their licensed radio transmissions.

4.3.2 Nomination of compliance sites A compliance site shall be nominated to the CITC for each fixed radio source as specified in section 4.1.

4.3.3 Assessments of exclusion zones The public exclusion zone shall be assessed for each fixed RF source. The occupational exclusion zone shall also be assessed if closer access to the fixed RF source for RF Trained workers is planned in the safe work procedures for the site.

4.3.4 Multi-source exposures The assessment of each fixed RF source shall include a consideration of total aggregate exposures (as per section 2.5) from any other nearby fixed RF source that generates more than 10% of the public reference levels (in terms of E², H², Seq, (IC)² and (IL)²) at any point within the public compliance boundary of the primary fixed RF source.

4.3.5 RF safety program An RF safety program (as specified in Annex 2) shall be developed and implemented for the safe management of the fixed RF sources within a compliance site.

4.3.6 RF compliance documentation An RF control document (RFCD) shall be prepared for the compliance site and submitted to the CITC. A Site Compliance Certificate shall be prepared for the compliance site and submitted to the CITC and the property owner. The required content of the RF compliance documentation is specified in Schedule 2.


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4.3.7 Compliance site manager A compliance site manager shall be nominated to the CITC for each compliance site. The name and contact details (telephone and email) of the compliance site manager shall be provided in the RFCD for the compliance site. The compliance site manager (or his nominee) shall represent the RF license holders in the following compliance site requirements:

a) nominate the compliance site to the CITC; b) arrange the production of an RFCD and Site Compliance Certificate for the

compliance site. c) submit the RFCD to the CITC; d) submit the Site Compliance Certificate to the CITC and the property owner; e) supervise the implementation of the RF safety program for the compliance site,

including any specific procedures in the RFCD; f) provide any information requested by the CITC relating to compliance at the

compliance site; g) arrange safe access to the compliance site for CITC inspectors (or their

representatives) for verification of compliance when requested by the CITC; h) when requested, provide sufficient RF exposure data to the compliance site managers

of nearby sites to meet their obligations for total exposure assessments (as per section 4.3.4);

i) notify other compliance site managers of nearby sites about the installation or modification of any new fixed RF sources within the compliance site;

j) notify the property owner before any compliance related visit to the property. The same compliance site manager may be nominated for multiple compliance sites. The compliance site manager may also be nominated from a third party, though liability to the CITC for compliance shall still nonetheless lie with the radio licensee(s).

4.4 Obligations of property owners

4.4.1 Cooperation with the CITC On request from the CITC, the property owner shall provide the name and contact details of either the owner, operator, or radio licensee associated with any fixed RF source (within the scope of the National Guidelines) on their property. The property owner shall also allow access to any fixed RF source or compliance site on their property for CITC inspectors or their representatives who require access for the purpose of verifying compliance.

4.4.2 Cooperation with a compliance site manager The property owner shall comply with any of the following requests from a compliance site manager on a compliance site that has been registered with the CITC for their property:

a) allow reasonable access to the compliance site for the compliance site manager or his representatives for the sole purposes of establishing or verifying compliance;


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b) allow the placement on the property of the RFCD and appropriate RF safety signs for the compliance site;

c) allow the establishment of appropriate access restrictions which are erected at the cost of the radio licensees represented by the compliance site manager (or his nominee);

d) notify visitors to their property, who may access the compliance sites, of the need to refer to the RFCD for ensuring their safety;

4.5 Compliance assessments

4.5.1 Assessment standards and guidelines The compliance assessment of a fixed RF source shall be conducted according to the test methods described in Annex 6 of these National guidelines, or the IEEE Std C95.3, Recommended Practice for Measurements and Computations of Radio frequency Electromagnetic Fields With Respect to Human exposure to Such Fields, 100 kHz – 300 GHz, using the latest published version at the time of assessment. In case of any conflict between assessments conducted using the IEEE C95.3 standard and the National Guidelines, the requirements of the National Guidelines shall prevail.

4.5.2 Source conditions during assessment In general, compliance assessments of fixed RF sources shall be based on conditions leading to the highest RF exposure that is possible for the intended operational states of the source, excluding fault conditions.

4.5.3 Reassessment of compliance Compliance of a fixed RF source shall be reassessed if its configuration (design or operational procedures) is changed in a way that could plausibly lead to the invalidation of the compliance assessment. Some possible situations for reassessment are:

a) an increase in transmitter RF power; b) an increase in the duty cycle of the transmitter; c) a reduction in transmission losses between the transmitter and the antenna; d) alteration of the antenna type or field pattern; e) change in the antenna bearing, height or location;

4.6 Requirements for compliance A site shall be compliant with the National Guidelines if the following requirements have been met:

a) All exclusion zones (public and occupational) have been identified at the site. b) The necessary site control measures have been implemented, as far as reasonably and

practicably possible, to ensure that: i) No RF trained worker is exposed to electromagnetic fields at the site that is

higher than the occupational limits; ii) No non-RF trained worker is exposed to electromagnetic fields at the site that is

higher than the public limits. c) Signs as detailed in section 4.1, have been installed on site; d) The necessary site compliance documentation has been submitted to the CITC.


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5 Enforcement The National Guidelines are mandatory in accordance with Section 1.4.

5.1 Enforcement powers of the CITC The CITC, in designating appropriate compliance arrangements under the National Guidelines may:

a) require the assessment of RF emitters; b) conduct or arrange compliance verification of RF emitters; c) require the provision of information and/or documentation relevant to verifying

compliance; d) prescribe an time period determined by the CITC for the compliance site manager to

submit the Declaration of conformity, RFCD and/or other documentation relevant to verify compliance;

e) prescribe mitigating actions where RF emitters or an RF safety program are not in compliance with the National Guidelines;

f) ban the sale of any mobile or portable radio device that has not been demonstrated to be in compliance with the National Guidelines;

g) make publicly available any DoC, RFCD and/or Site Compliance Certificate submitted to the CITC;

h) establish penalties where there is non-compliance with the National Guidelines as per section 7;

i) issue amendments to the National Guidelines; j) issue technical clarifications and interpretations for the National Guidelines; k) include any other measure necessary to ensure compliance with the National

Guidelines.

5.2 Verification of assessments

5.2.1 Mobile or portable radio devices The CITC will refer to the Declaration of Conformity (DoC) submitted for a mobile or portable radio device when verifying its assessment. In the first instance, the CITC will check that the DoC contains the valid information required in Schedule 1. The CITC shall accept, without further review, a DoC that is based on assessments conducted by a laboratory that has been accredited by its recognized accrediting agency to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for the relevant measurement methodologies, or to the ISO/IEC 17020 standard for the relevant calculation methodologies. In other cases, the CITC may arrange further testing for verification of compliance using the same assessment standard indicated in the DoC.


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5.2.2 Fixed RF sources When checking compliance of a fixed RF source, the CITC will refer to the RF Control Document (RFCD) for the compliance site which contains the source. In the first instance, the CITC will check that the RFCD contains valid information required in Schedule 2. For fixed RF sources that have been assessed according to the IEEE C95.3 standard, the CITC may arrange further testing for verification of compliance using the same assessment methodology indicated in the IEEE C95.3 standard. The CITC shall determine non-compliance of a fixed RF source if the lower bound (see definition) of any verification test result exceeds the relevant reference level or basic restriction for the nominated compliance boundaries and RF safety procedures. For fixed RF sources that have been assessed to the Technical Guidelines described in Annex 6 of these National Guidelines, the CITC may verify compliance by checking that the assessment using this guideline is valid.

5.2.3 CITC Inspectors CITC Inspectors who are empowered to enter premises to conduct compliance verification of RF emitters shall:

a) have identification clearly identifying them as officials of the CITC. This identification shall be shown upon request;

b) be technically qualified and have suitable equipment that allows them to conduct compliance verification;

c) be given every reasonable assistance to enable him to carry out his duties or functions under the Act;

d) at any reasonable time and on reasonable grounds, enter premises to conduct any compliance procedures, including examination of any RF emitting device testing records or data and any other compliance information he may request, and opening packages that may contain RF emitting devices and taking them away for further inspection if necessary;

e) not detain the radiation emitting device after the expiration of 90 days from the day it was taken away unless, before that time, proceedings have been instituted in respect of a contravention of the National Guidelines, in which case the device may be detained until the proceedings are finally concluded;

f) maintain records and results of all compliance inspections and verifications;


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6 Distribution of compliance documentation The CITC establish and manage a centralized internet-based repository which contains information addressed to the public on DoC and RFCD compliance results. Information posted on the site should not be commercially “sensitive”.

7 Violations Violations to the National Guidelines are subject to relevant terms in article 37 of the Telecommunications Act.

8 Entry into force The National Guidelines shall enter into force on the date specified by CITC decision approving it.


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Schedule 1 – Declaration of Conformity This Schedule prescribes the contents and delivery requirements for a Declaration of Conformity (DoC) for a mobile or portable radio device. The DoC shall include the following:

a) The name and contact details of the corporate entity. b) The name, title and contact details of a person delegated within the corporate entity to

liaise with the CITC in relation to the DoC. c) A brief description of the device including:

i) its generic type (e.g. mobile phone, wireless microphone, two-way radio, etc) ii) its model number iii) manufacturer of the device

d) A statement declaring that the device complies with the public, occupational, or both (depending on device procedures) limits of the National Guidelines.

e) Citation of the standard used to assess compliance with the public and/or occupational limits of the National Guidelines (IEC62209 or IEC62311).

f) The name and address of the laboratory or test house that performed the compliance assessment.

g) The date when the compliance assessment was completed. h) A brief description of the test device operating configurations during assessment

including: i) operating modes and frequency range(s); ii) net transmitter RF power for each operating mode and frequency range; iii) operating net transmitter RF power tolerances; iv) antenna type and operating positions; v) applicable body–worn configurations; vi) battery options that could affect the RF exposure assessments; vii) applicable source-based time-averaging duty cycle and the duty cycle used in the

tests; i) Any user procedures that are required to ensure compliance of the device such as:

i) device power settings ii) separation d

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National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency ... · National Guidelines for Human Exposure to Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields Page 2 of 76 This publication is a