International Conference on EMF - From bioeffects to legislation
8-9 November 2004
Ljubljana, Slovenia
Background
Globalization and the rapid growth of mobile telecommunications world-wide have focused attention on the large differences existing in standards limiting exposure to EMF. Differences in the exposure limit values in EMF standards among some new EU member states and those of EU recommendation are over two orders of magnitude. These differences have raised concerns about the lack of uniformity and have led to public concern and distrust about EMF exposures from the increased use of various EMF sources in the living and working environment. The approach in some new EU member states is now interpreted by many as application of the precautionary principle, but has nothing to do with it. Limit values reflect the level of contemporary knowledge about biological effects and methodological approaches in their establishment and evolve with time. EMF standards are more or less based on theoretical estimates and extrapolations and judgments about what the experimental data imply for human exposure. It is precisely this aspect that leads to the so-called “controversy” among scientists, and the understandable, but unfounded, demands for absolute assurances and proof of safety from workers and the public.
The International Conference on EMF - From Bioeffects to Legislation took place in Ljubljana, Slovenia from Monday 8th to Tuesday 9th November 2004. A panel of recognized international experts was assembled to present state of the science in the field of EMF, to promote scientific background of the EMF guidelines, discuss the different models for EMF standards in new EU member states and their possible harmonization and universal model legislation.
Purpose of meeting
An effort to discuss the different safety concepts and available research data, which were used as a basis for EE standards, was focused through the EMF conference in Ljubljana, Slovenia with collaboration with many international organizations (WHO, ICNIRP, EU) and national authorities from EU, new EU member states and candidate Members of the EU. The aim of the conference was to provide an answer to our information based society's most commonly asked question: Do current EU recommendation and directive provide sufficient protection against EMF exposure? This question is particularly important since some new EU member states use quite lover limit values in their standards and legislation in the field of EMF. The distinguished invited speakers discussed the sound scientific background of the EMF guidelines, suggested a model for universal legislation, and provided advice to the governmental representatives how to manage the EMF issue.
In addition, a round table meeting on the different models for EMF standards in new EU member states and candidate Members of the EU and their possible harmonization including review of the current research activities in those countries was organized. A panel of recognized national experts was assembled to present the state of the science in the field of EMF in new EU member states. Besides the new EU member states, the conference was open also to some other European countries that are considered as the candidate Members of the EU.
This was a unique opportunity to compare and discuss not only different standards but, more important, different approaches to the development of standards and legislation. It is related in particular to the old divergences between "Western" and "Eastern" approach, and to the possibility of reaching consensus in the future. Such discussion is specially needed for the new EU Countries that have to confront with the EU Recommendation of July 2001 and the EU Directive for protection of the workers.