Company Information

RF Exposure and Assessment Standards

Zebra designs, builds and tests all of its products according to international assessment standards (by measurements or numerical computations) to meet nationally and internationally recognised exposure standards (limits of exposure with large safety margins). These products include RFID, mobile computers and other portable communications products, as well as in-vehicle radios.

Most countries follow the RF exposure limits recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) or the International Committee on Electromagnetic Safety of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These limits protect against potential adverse health effects by including substantial safety margins. Compliance with these standards provides a sound scientific basis for confidence in the safety of products using RF energy.

The exposure assessment standards for wireless portable devices used around the world have been established by the IEEE and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). These standards create strict methodological requirements for testing products for compliance with specific absorption rate (SAR) limits. For many regions, including the Americas and the European Union, testing is done for intended use of the products (e.g., use at the ear or in front of the face) and for body-worn products (e.g., in a holster on the waist).

Fixed/Mobile Equipment

Stationary or mobile equipment that transmits RF energy, such as narrow band base stations, RFID fixed readers or wireless access points, are covered by exposure guidelines based on the same scientific knowledge as the limits applied to portable radio products. For exposure to antennas at a far distance, the limits are in terms of power density (milliwatts per square centimetre), instead of SAR for portable devices operated near the body. Generally, due to the location of antennas, stationary network equipment produces RF exposure levels for members of the public that are substantially below established exposure limits.

New technologies, products and services are being deployed that incorporate the use of RF energy. These include radio networks and devices for RF identification technology for logistics management. These technologies often use radio waves to operate and must meet the same or similar exposure guidelines as existing wireless products.

New Technologies

New technologies, products and services are being deployed that incorporate the use of RF energy. These include radio networks and devices for RF identification technology for logistics management. These technologies often use radio waves to operate and must meet the same or similar exposure guidelines as existing wireless products.

Compliance Testing

Zebra products are designed, manufactured and tested according to the international assessment standards to meet national and international requirements for compliance with the science-based exposure standards. Our products are tested in approved external accredited independent labs. This rigorous testing provides assurances that our products are compliant with national regulations and international RF exposure standards before being placed on the market.