09/25/2026
ARRL with ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio¿ is following two new federal proceedings concerning radio frequency (RF) exposure. On September 17, 2026, the FCC and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated parallel comment periods on RF safety issues. Neither inquiry changes the current FCC RF exposure rules that apply to all radio amateurs but could lead to changes in later proceedings if the current rules are found to be deficient.
The FCC's Public Notice[1] is narrowly focused on specific RF exposure issues remanded to the Commission in 2021 by the U.S. Court of Appeals. The Commission emphasizes that it will give particular weight to submissions reflecting specialized expertise in health and safety matters. The HHS Request for Information[2] (see also HHS press release[3]) broadly seeks evidence and information concerning the potential health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs), RF radiation, and wireless technologies.
Comments on the HHS inquiry are due October 21, with comments on the FCC issues due by October 22.
The current rules governing RF exposure took effect on May 3, 2021, and are discussed in the September 2021[4]and May 2023[5] issues of QST. The ARRL website features additional information, including an RF exposure calculator, the RF Safety section from the 100th Edition of The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications, an explanatory video, FAQs, and more. ARRL has made these resources available to everyone in the amateur radio community without regard to membership. ARRL urges all licensees to stay compliant and safe.
[1]
https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-requests-comment-rf-exposure-remand-0?utm_source=ARRL&utm_campaign=d6577a0d31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_24_01_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d6577a0d31-443773700
[2]
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/21/2026-19252/request-for-information-on-electromagnetic-fields-emfs-radiofrequency-rf-radiation-and-wireless
[3]
https://www.hhs.gov/press-room/hhs-seeks-public-input-electromagnetic-fields-wireless-radiation.html?utm_source=ARRL&utm_campaign=d6577a0d31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_24_01_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d6577a0d31-443773700
[4]
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/QST/This20in%20QST/2021/09202021/HARE.pdf?utm_source=ARRL&utm_campaign=d6577a0d31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_24_01_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d6577a0d31-443773700
[5]
https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Lab/RF%20Exposure/2023-0520FCC20Rules.pdf?utm_source=ARRL&utm_campaign=d6577a0d31-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2026_09_24_01_26&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-d6577a0d31-443773700
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