Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) have their origin in diverse sources such as domestic, industrial and medical electrical appliances and devices as well as high voltage overhead transmission lines. Exposure to EMF has been increasing for instance with the growth in the use of appliances of the telecommunications industry and with a rapid increase in the installation of transmitter masts used as radiotelephone base stations.

In view of the Commission's intention to prepare a report to the Council and the amount of scientific evidence that has become available since the publication of an earlier opinion by the CSTEE on "Possible effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EMF), Radio Frequency Fields (RF) and Microwave Radiation on human health", of 30 October 2001, the Commission has asked the SCENIHR to both update the previous opinion of the CSTEE and to monitor new information that may influence the assessment of risks to human health in this area.

The Commission, in consultation with the SCENIHR, invites interested stakeholders to send their comments on the preliminary opinion by Friday, 3 November 2006 to the following e-mail address: Sanco-Sc1-Secretariat@ec.europa.eu. In order that your comments can be given the fullest consideration by the Commission, please use this format .

You are requested to provide contact details in the event that the Commission would like to have further clarification on any technical issue you may have raised.

The outcome of the consultation will be published. The opinion, which will be finalised after consideration of the replies to this public consultation, will serve as a basis for future activities carried out by the Commission.

Contributions received will be published on this website, unless requests not to do so have explicitly been made.