The Government has instructed all cell phone manufacturers to include radiation tags in mobile handsets to display Specific Absorption Rate, SAR, value by the first of September this year. A radiation tag is a device embedded within a cell phone for checking radiation emitting from it.

The minister of State for Communication and Information Technology Milind Deora gave this information in Rajya Sabha today. Mr Deora said that all the indigenous manufactures have been instructed to make necessary changes in the design, software and packaging in compliance with these instructions within the stipulated time.

He said that to regulate indigenous as well as imported mobile phones, the Bureau of Indian Standards, BIS have been asked to frame standards under the BIS Act 1986.

Talking to AIR, Cyber and Telecom Expert Pawan Duggal said that it is a good step as it will protect consumers from harmful effects of radiation and create awareness about its dangers. He said it will help users to know how much radiation is emitting from a particular cell phone.