Dialogue committee on "Radiofrequencies and health"

Following on from the round table on "Radiofrequencies, health and the environment" organised in late 2009, the authorities decided to transfer the responsibilities of the French Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation to AFSSET, which became the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) in July 2010. This decision made ANSES a leading scientific authority on radiofrequencies. In addition to its expert appraisal tasks, it became responsible for:

• funding and monitoring of research projects on the subject of radiofrequencies and health;
• setting up a committee for dialogue between scientists and stakeholders in order to debate and make proposals on the work ANSES carries out on this topic.

Until 2018, an additional levy to the annual flat-rate tax on network companies (IFER) was used to collect funds to finance research activities in this field. Following the abolition of this levy, the Ministry of Ecological and Inclusive Transition allocated €2 million in funding to ANSES in 2019 as part of the National Research Programme for Environmental and Occupational Health (PNR EST), to enable it to continue its call for research projects dedicated to radiofrequencies.

The establishment of this dialogue committee built on the experience acquired in the framework of the Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation, and took account of recent institutional changes.

Its ambition is to be a forum for exchanges, discussion and information on scientific matters relating to the potential health effects of radiofrequencies and their assessment. It is understood that only issues falling within the scope of ANSES's responsibilities shall be addressed, as those relating to the management measures and regulatory provisions likely to be considered necessary shall be dealt with in the framework of the round table on radiofrequencies led by the public authorities. 
The fact that the dialogue committee has been set up by ANSES enables it to provide input for the work of the scientific committee in charge of the specific research programme and the Agency's Expert Committee on "Physical agents, new technologies and development areas".

This body's objectives are to:

• debate and exchange views on the scientific work produced or needing to be encouraged;
• question its areas of validity or application;
• make proposals on areas for future research and/or on the expert appraisals to be carried out;
• make recommendations on the use of this work for information purposes;
• help clarify stakeholders' expectations and questions, and identify the most suitable methods/players/places for taking them into account. 

Following a call for expressions of interest issued via the Internet before its establishment and applications received subsequently, the members of this body are:

Institutions / Local authorities / Elected officials 

• Jean-Pierre Luguern, French Frequency Agency (ANFR)
• Véronique Picard, Association of Mayors of France (AMF)

Associations 

• Valentine de La Morinerie, National Union of Family Associations (UNAF)
• Lisa Faulet, French Confederation for Consumer Affairs, Housing and Quality of Life (CLCV)
• Sophie Pelletier, Pour Rassembler Informer et Agir sur les Risques liés aux Technologies Electromagnétiques (PRIARTEM)
• Elisabeth Renwez, Pour Rassembler Informer et Agir sur les Risques liés aux Technologies Electromagnétiques (PRIARTEM)
• Ginette Vastel, France Nature Environnement (FNE)
• François Vetter, National Council of Secular Family Associations (CNAFAL)

Mobile phone operators and broadcasters

• Carmen Alvarez, SFR
• Philippe de Cuetos, French Digital Industry Alliance (AFNUM)
• Alexandre Galdin, French Telecoms Federation (FFT)
• Patricia Martigne, Orange
• Sabine Lobnig, Mobile & Wireless Forum (MWF)
• Saïda Ouederni, Free Mobile
• Hervé de Tournadre, Bouygues Telecom

Employee trade unions

• Philippe Dalaudiere and Alain Delaunay, General Confederation of Labour (CGT)

Employee trade unions

• Dr Frédéric Greco

The committee's configuration may change if other players express an interest in taking part in this dialogue body, after an opinion has been issued by the Chair and the group's members.

This dialogue committee, established in 2011 following a call for expressions of interest, brings together representatives of associations and employee trade unions, mobile telephone operators and manufacturers, local/regional authorities, institutions and elected officials, with a view to achieving a balance between the various organisations represented. It is not intended to produce a consensus or common position.

In late 2018, Dominique Marbouty, retired from the General Commission for Sustainable Development (CGDD), was appointed Chair of the Committee by the Agency's Director General.

This body meets two to three times a year, depending on the needs expressed by its members, current events and the Agency's work.

Its members undertake to participate regularly and not to use or repeat directly the remarks made by the various stakeholders at these meetings. The verbatim reports, which reproduce the content of the exchanges in full, are internal working documents for the group and are not intended for distribution. 

To preserve the equanimity of the debates, participants also commit to listen, exercise restraint and respect the points of view expressed by other stakeholders, in the interests of equitable access and freedom of speech. 

ANSES reserves the right to exclude any person who does not comply with the above operating rules.

The travel expenses of association representatives based outside Paris may be reimbursed.

The Chair and Vice-Chair of the working groups on radiofrequencies and of the Expert Committee (CES) on "Physical Agents and New Technologies" are systematically invited to participate in and contribute to the debates. Meetings are also open to other WG members who wish to take part.

This Committee is coordinated and managed by Raphaëlle Duclos, who is the project leader for dialogue with society and the social sciences within ANSES's Social Sciences, Economics & Society Department (DISSES).