The exemption allows for high-quality patient care and early disease detection to remain possible in the European Union, including new research and development in MRI, COCIR said.

This announcement represents a success for the Alliance for MRI, which has been driving the campaign. This revision is a result of the concerns raised by the group and a recognition by the European Commission that the current directive severely curtailed the use of MRI to the detriment of patients in Europe, according to the Alliance. However, there is still a lot of work to be done in order to convince the Parliament and Council to support the European Commission's decision, and the Alliance is currently planning an event in the European Parliament on 8 November 2011.

If subject to the proposed general limit values, the operation, innovation, and routine cleaning and maintenance of MRI equipment would become virtually impossible, according to the committee.

The proposal will be sent to the European parliament and the EU's Council of Ministers for adoption. The new directive's deadline for implementation will be set by the parliament and the council.