EMF related country-specific information for the Netherlands

Cooperation of national government + Health Council + the Radiocommunications Agency Netherlands + the Antenna Bureau + National Institute for Public Health and the Environment + the municipal Public Health Service + the Knowledge Platform on Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) and Health

EMF measurement results and information regarding limits are available on the website.

National Regulatory Authority (NRA) ACM, NL
NRA responsible for setting exposure limits on EMF The national government follows the recommendation of the EU: ICNIRP 1998. Later this year (2023), the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy implements ICNIRP 2020 in national legislation, as recommended by the Health Council of the Netherlands.
NRA responsible for monitoring EMF Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure
EMF material published by NRA

Measurement results are published by the Antenna Bureau, the information agency of the Dutch Government concerning antennas and part of the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, on its website [reports in Dutch (https://www.antennebureau.nl/straling-en-gezondheid/resultaten-metingen-straling-antennes) and in the Antenna register (www.antenneregister.nl). Next to that, the Antenna Bureau provides information about the different types of EMF measurements as conducted by the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, including a video explaining how these measurements take place.

Long term plan by the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure for measurements EMF [in Dutch]: 

Protocol by the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure for EMF-measurements: 
NRA publishes EMF measurements As mentioned above, The Antenna Bureau publishes measurements on its website (https://www.antennebureau.nl/straling-en-gezondheid/resultaten-metingen-straling-antennes) and in the Antenna register (www.antenneregister.nl).
Cooperation between NRA and other competent authorities responsible for EMF

The Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, including the Antenna Bureau, collaborates with various (international) institutions, among which:

  • The Health Council of the Netherlands (Gezondheidsraad), an independent scientific advisory body, advises the Dutch ministers and Parliament in the field of public health and health/healthcare research, including EMF. In 2020 the Council published a report on 5G and EMF.

  • Knowledge Platform on Electromagnetic Fields and Health ((Kennisplatform Elektromagnetische Velden en Gezondheid) https://www.kennisplatform.nl/english/) is informing the public about EMF and health. In the Knowledge Platform, governmental, and scientific organisations (RIVM, TNO, DNV, GGD GHOR Netherlands, Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure, and ZonMW) work together to interpret the latest results and make these accessible on a website for citizens, professionals, local governments, and the media.

  • The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment of the Netherlands (RIVM) (https://www.rivm.nl/en) informs the public about EMF and health on their website. Next to that, the RIVM analyses the scientific literature on the possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields.

  • ACM for the international perspective on EMF.

  • The Municipal Public Health Services (GGD), a nationwide overarching organization, has an important role in informing and educating citizens and professionals about EMF and health.

  • Other international NRAs and universities to share knowledge concerning EMF.
Other noteworthy country specific practices Throughout the year, the Antenna Bureau educates professionals (Mobile Network Operators, representatives of local government, etc.) about antennas. With courses (in collaboration with the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure and the Knowledge Platform on EMF and Health) these professionals learn, among more technical and legislative topics, about EMF and health.

ICNIRP exposure level used

Y/N ?		 Yes, the national government follows the recommendation of the EU: ICNIRP 1998. Later this year (2023) the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy implements ICNIRP 2020 in national legislation. As of 2021, the Dutch Authority for Digital Infrastructure and the Antenna Bureau takes into account ICNIRP 2020.

In 2020 the independent National Health Council in the Netherlands published a report (https://www.healthcouncil.nl/documents/advisory-reports/2020/09/02/5g-and-health) on 5G and EMF. It concluded that the relations between 5G frequencies and health damage are not demonstrated but, at the same time, cannot be excluded for a number of conditions. The lower frequency bands for 5G (up to 3.5GHz) have already been used for telecommunications applications and Wi­Fi for years without resulting in any proven adverse health effects. It also concluded that research on the effects of exposure to frequencies around 26 GHz is virtually absent. The Health Council, therefore, recommends not using the 26 GHz frequency band for 5G. The WHO, EC, and ICNIRP see no reason to assume that the use of the 26 GHz band within the internationally agreed exposure limits of ICNIRP 2020 can cause health issues. Also, the Dutch National Health Council confirms that it is unlikely that exposure to frequencies that will be used for 5G can cause health issues. The Dutch government, therefore, sees no reason to stop the issuance of the 26 GHz band. At the same time, it will closely monitor the latest scientific insights and aim for more international research.

For informing the public on EMF and health it is important that research-based information is accessible to the public. The Dutch Knowledge Platform on EMF and Health, a collaboration of governmental and scientific organizations, interprets the latest results and makes these accessible to citizens, professionals, and local governments. The Antenna Bureau informs citizens, professional and local governments as well, but from a broader perspective. Topics concern technical aspects of antennas, legislation, and EMF and health. Research (commissioned by the Antenna Bureau in 2020) showed that (among other things) local government requests active support on themes like antennas and 5G. The Antenna Bureau, therefore, expanded its ways of informing local governments. For health-related questions, citizens and local government can contact the Municipal Public Health Services as well.