MMF's 10th Anniversary The Mobile Manufacturers Forum was formed in 1998 to facilitate joint funding of key research projects and cooperation on standards, regulatory issues and communications concerning health and mobile phones. Ten years on, the MMF now has offices in Belgium, Brazil and Hong Kong and is active in more than 30 countries, and continues to support an extensive international research program. A brief background on the establishment of the MMF The support for research has always been at the heart of the MMF, and it was a key driver for the association's establishment. For example, in June 1997 a group of manufacturers jointly signed a letter to the European Commission to voice support for a EU Research Program in response to the report "Possible Health Effects Related to the Use of Radiotelephones: Proposals for a Research program by a European Expert Group". This was the genesis of the EU's research support under the 5th Framework Program and was also the genesis of the MMF itself. In December 1997, an informal meeting of manufacturers took place to discuss the Commission's research proposals. During this meeting, manufacturers agreed to two important principles: (a) That only the "highest quality research relevant to public health should be conducted"; and (b) That coordination amongst manufacturers through a suitable body would be necessary to support such high quality research. From this discussion there emerged agreement that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be a suitable way to proceed. In a subsequent meeting in February 1998 the name Mobile Manufacturers Forum was agreed to by the participants as being the most appropriate for the new organisation, and in April 1998, the Mobile Manufacturers Forum Co-operation Agreement began the process of being formally agreed to by companies. The first meeting of the Mobile Manufacturers Forum was arranged for 17 June 1998 where both signatories and potential signatories were invited to attend to discuss a variety of research projects being considered at that time, and how the group would progress its support for these projects. At that meeting, the first 'elections' of office holders were undertaken in order to progress the more formal processes of becoming an international association with scientific purpose under Belgium Law. This process was formally concluded on July 5 1999 by the adoption and signing of the MMF's Constitution. Ten years on the MMF still is committed to supporting the highest quality research relevant to public health and undertakes its research activities in partnership with leading health agencies, universities and other stakeholders. For more information on the MMF itself click here. For more information on our research program click here