The exposure limits that apply in the UK are the 1998 ICNIRP exposure guidelines, for public exposure in the terms of the 1999 EU Recommendation.
In 2010, ICNIRP, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Exposure, published new exposure guidelines. But the UK has adopted the specific document ICNIRP 1998, not whatever happens to be ICNIRP's latest pronouncement. So the new guidelines will not apply in the UK unless Government make a specific decision to introduce them.
This is spelled out in two different places:
Code of Practice
The Code of Practice on compliance with exposure guidelines says:
"As and when either ICNIRP issue new Guidelines or the EU revise the Recommendation, it will be for Government to consider those changes and to decide whether to adopt them or not. If Government policy changes, this Code of Practice will also be changed accordingly, but until that happens, the present policy as reflected in this Code of Practice remains in force."
Written answer
On 14 March 2011, Charles Hendry, Energy Minister, said in a written answer:
"New guidance for 1 Hz to 100 kHz was published by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) in December 2010. However, Government policy remains that we apply the 1998 ICNIRP guidelines in terms of the 1999 European Union (EU) recommendation for public exposure levels to EMFs. If the EU decides to revise its recommendation to member states based on the new 2010 ICNIRP guidance, then at that time the Department of Health will consider how that affects UK policy. If this policy changes as a result of the recommendation we will then look to review EN-5 to ensure that it is still relevant."
more on written answers dealing with EMFs
