EU: CONSUMER POLICY - Campaign on Labeling of Microwave Radiation from Cellular Phones European Report - 01-06-2000 Representatives of the Association of European Consumers (AEC) have urged David Byrne, the Commissioner responsible for Consumer Protection and Health, to examine the need for a Directive on specific labeling of microwave radiation levels from cellular phones. At a meeting with the Commissioner on December 20, AEC representatives called for the launch forthwith of an impartial investigation within the EU on levels of microwave radiation from cellular phones and other portable telephones, suspected in some quarters of being harmful to the health of users. One of the principal reasons that has motivated the Association of European Consumers in calling for a Directive is its belief that "national governments in the Member States seem more interested in protecting their telecom industries than in giving citizens the information they need to make well-informed choices". The AEC claims that several private investigations have focused on "possible risks from microwave emissions from cellular phones and have revealed huge variations in intensity between different models". Founded in May 1999, the Association of European Consumers has set up eight working parties examining relations between the EU and consumer representatives, food safety, electronic commerce, the services market and universal services, the Euro and financial markets, environmentally-sound consumption, access to justice and the World Trade Organization. AEC President Bengt Ingerstam insists "it is our right to know what we buy and we demand to know the characteristics and risks of the products we are paying for. As the telecom industry aggressively objects to give us this information, I think there is a need for EC legislation". Copyright 2000 European Report, January 6, 2000