Introduction:

The Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation was created to encourage research efforts to study the effects of RF electromagnetic waves on humans, as well as provide information on this subject to the public, governments, doctors, professionals, among others. The Foundation pools available funding needed to finance these actions and to implement an independent assessment system for projects submitted to it.

Launched by the Minister for Research and the initial founders, the Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation obtained public interest status by decree dated January 10, 2005.

The Board of Directors first met on July 4, 2005.

What is the Foundation’s purpose?

The Parliamentary Office for Evaluation of Scientific and Technological Options (OPECST) initially proposed that a Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation be created, in its report entitled Téléphonie mobile et santé (Mobile Phones and Health).

The effects of radiofrequency waves on human health have already been investigated in numerous research projects in France and abroad. Nonetheless, there are still areas of study in which we have little or no scientific knowledge. In addition, technology changes rapidly and raises still new questions. The work of the Foundation is France’s contribution to the international research effort in this field.

What are the Foundation’s missions?

The Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation aims to define, promote, and finance:

• epidemiological, experimental, and sociological research programs on the effects of radio waves on humans,
• knowledge dissemination programs on the subject for the public and professionals.

Who created the Foundation?

The government set the Foundation up, with the involvement of industry players, under the leadership of the Ministry of Research. Since January 10, 2005, the Health and Radiofrequencies Foundation is recognized as a public interest research foundation. The Foundation’s Board of Directors met for the first time on July 4, 2005.

How does the Foundation operate?

The Foundation’s structure includes a Board of Directors and a Scientific Council.

The Director is recruited by the Board of Directors and is responsible for the Foundation’s operation. Rules governing the operations of the Foundation’s different entities are controlled by the Foundation Charter.

How is the Foundation financed?

Half of the Foundation’s budget is State-funded, and half is provided by industry players, the founding members. The initial endowment for five years is 4.8 million euros. Programs can therefore be scheduled over several years.

Does the Foundation work together with other entities in Europe and around the world?

In order to effectively pool research efforts on an international scale, the Foundation takes into account the coordination action recommendations of the COST 281 program and EMF-Net project, at the European level, and of the World Health Organization (WHO) at the international level.

The Foundation works with a number of similar entities that have been created in many European countries.

(For further information, visit the section "Players" »)

Which industrial companies contribute funds to the Foundation?

Eight industry players have contributed to the creation of the Foundation:

• Manufacturers: Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson France, and Motorola,
• French mobile phone operators: Bouygues Telecom, Orange France, and SFR,
• Broadcasting operators: TDF and Towercast.