Today, when you buy a new smartphone in France, consumers will find headphones there: this is not a gift from manufacturers, but an obligation enshrined in law since 2010, which requires them to provide an accessory ” This makes it possible to reduce the head’s exposure to radio-electric emissions during communications Hands-free set, like headphones.

French exception

Until recent years, manufacturers were handing headphones all over the world with their smartphones. But Apple, followed by others, began removing these headphones from the package, directing the user to buy a pair (or use older models). Except for France, which is one of the only countries in the world that has this kind of commitment.

It will soon be over: Section 14 of the law aimed at reducing the digital ecological footprint effectively removes the mandatory provision of the free-speaking toolkit. Patrick Chase, the senator behind the law, confirms it Frandroid : The sole obligation of manufacturers is ” Ensure availability of compatible headphones with the terminal model during its marketing period So customers should be able to buy headphones easily.

From an environmental point of view, these headphones represent ” The main source of waste The senator highlights. health side” International expert bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) have so far refuted a causal relationship between exposure to electromagnetic fields produced by telephones and chronic diseases. ».

The Senate passed the law in second reading a few days ago. It remains only to post it in Official Gazette in order to be applied.