COCIR welcomes exemption of MRI from the new EC EMF Directive

21 June 2011

COCIR, the trade association representing the medical imaging, electromedical and healthcare IT industry, has welcomed
the European Commission’s new proposal for an EMF Directive that excludes lifesaving MRI technology from the exposure limit values.

This Directive (2004/40/EC) was postponed for four years in
2007. Due to this exemption, high-quality patient care and early disease
detection will remain possible in the EU, including new research and
development in MRI.

If subject to the proposed general limit values, operation, innovation and routine cleaning and maintenance of MRI equipment would become virtually impossible. Medical applications such as MR have been serving European citizens for more than 20 years and it
is essential to acknowledge that they are proven technologies.

Nicole Denjoy, COCIR Secretary General, said “Because the safety of
patients and workers — a priority for COCIR members — is already
addressed by specific international standards, the proposed exemption is the only solution that safeguards further development of MRI, ensuring continued innovation in patient care”.

 

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