Ministérios do Equipamento Social, da Economia, da Saúde e da Ciência e da Tecnologia (Ministries of Equipment Social, Economic, Health and Science and Technology)
Joint Ministerial Order
One of the most visible consequences of the major development of telecommunications over recent years, allied to the constantly growing use of new technologies, has been the proliferation of radio-communications stations and respective accessories, specifically antennae, in both urban and rural areas.
This situation is experienced in many other countries, and there are now growing concerns, specifically within the European Union, relating to the possible consequences on human health of the emission of non-ionising radiation. Several studies have been made on this subject, in particular those produced by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).
On June 12, 1999, the Council of the European Union adopted a recommendation (1999/519/EC) on the limitation of exposure of the general population to electromagnetic fields (0 Hz-300 GHz).
In Portugal, following the Council Recommendation, Decree-Law no. 151-A/2000, of July 20, established the obligation on competent authorities to approve "reference levels for the purposes of assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields or European or national standards based on scientifically proven and recognised calculation and measurement procedures, intended to assess the conformity with basic restrictions regarding exposure of the general population to electromagnetic fields."
Hence:
Considering that it has become necessary to ward against the possible effects on human health of electromagnetic radiation for frequencies between 0 Hz and 300 GHz, and define emission limits for such radiation;
Considering the need to comply with Council Recommendation no. 1999/519/EC and the terms of number 1 of article 22 of Decree-Law no. 151-A/2000, of July 20;
Considering the complexity and multi-disciplinary nature of the questions involved:
The following is hereby decided:
1 - An inter-ministerial working group is created, in order to:
a) Analyse the Council Recommendation no. 1999/519/EC, of June 12 1999;
b) Propose a framework of basic restrictions and suitable reference levels, specifically taking into consideration international studies, standards and practices in this field;
c) Draw up concrete proposals of action, specifically through preventive measures to be applied in the installation of radio-communications stations/antennae;
d) Present the group's conclusions to the Ministers represented in the working group.
2 - The working group is composed of the following elements, to be designated by the respective ministers:
a) A representative of the Minister of Health, that will co-ordinate;
b) A representative of the Minister of Social Equipment;
c) A representative of the Minister of the Economy;
d) A representative of the Minister of Science and Technology.
3 - The working group may undertake consultations and hearings with any entities it considers to be appropriate.
4 - The mandate of the working group should terminate within a maximum of three months. This period may be extended for an equal time period, if necessary, specifically when the complexity of the subjects or the development of consultation procedures makes it impossible to conclude the work within the initial deadline.
November 27, 2001. - Minister of Social Equipment, Eduardo Luís Barreto Ferro Rodrigues. - Minister of the Economy, Luís Garcia Braga da Cruz. - Minister of Health, António Fernando Correia de Campos. - Minister of Science and Technology, José Mariano Rebelo Pires Gago.
