Europe’s MRI sector waits on directive rethink
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Of all the ill-conceived and backward-thinking EU directives, the Physical Agents Directive (Directive 2004/40/EC), also known as the EMF Directive, is up there among the worst. The directive is potentially disastrous for the MRI sector as it seeks to impose strict limits on the electromagnetic field (EMF) strengths to which equipment operators can legally be exposed. While moves to protect workers from over-exposure to EMFs are to be welcomed, the directive is so restrictive that it could prevent healthcare staff caring for patients during a scan, put an end to interventional MRI procedures, and prevent radiologists from being properly trained. It could also affect MRI research, leading to a brain drain from the EU to the US and Asia.
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