The European Commission adopted on 14 June 2011 a proposal for a new directive on electromagnetic fields (EMF). The text includes an exemption for lifesaving MRI technology to the exposure limits value proposed in the article 3 of the new directive, which was constantly requested by COCIR.

Our industry welcomes this new proposal which ensure that high-quality patient care and early disease detection will remain possible in the EU, including new research and development in MRI, and in line with the Alliance for MRI's statement.

The proposal will be now scrutinized by the European Parliament and the EU’s Council of Ministers and we hope it will be rapidly adopted. The new directive’s deadline for implementation will be set by the Parliament and the Council (EC press release).

COCIR will continue to closely monitor the discussions in the coming months to ensure that the need and acceptability of an exemption for MRI will be recognized. We will be working with our members in order to ensure that parliamentarians and governments understand the implications of the Directive and the vital need for this exemption.

While the safety of MRI is already addressed by specific international standards (such as IEC/EN 60601-2-33), COCIR will also actively contribute to the guidelines which will be developed according to Annex 4 of the new directive to ensure that the safety of patients and workers - a priority for COCIR members – can be adapted in line with technological developments.