Wiardgroup

Some of you may be aware that there are new regulations & import
restrictions afoot in the European Union regarding the goods
containing harmful chemicals/elements, and one of these is lead.  So
far, I haven't read too much about this, except for: a post on AH from
a ModCan customer, stating that Bruce D is concerned about this, A
statement from Tony at Oakley stating that he is either discontinuing
or scaling back his line, and get 'em while you can, and I just got
the latest MOTM list digest, where Paul S seems to be wondering
exactly what to do.

As I'm an enthusiastic Wiard modular user in the UK, I'm wondering
what this is going to mean for future Wiard purchases.  I get the
distinct impression that musicians in the EU are a distinct minority
of the customer base of the North American manufacturers, and I guess
it's completely understandable if the cost of complying w/these
regulations is greater than the benefits to be gained by continuing to
sell to us euros!  I guess the 2 issues I'm concerned about are:

1/as I wish to continue buying the excellent products made by Grant
Richter, Paul Schreiber, Bruce Duncan, and John Blacet, what to do?  I
believe that even shipping bare PCBs is a problem because they contain
lead too!  Nothing against Doepfer or AS, I'm sure they make fine
products, but the instruments made by the North American manufacturers
I've chosen have been the right creative choices for me.

2/less likely to be a problem w/MOTM and Blacet, as they're kit based,
but what if I need to get some item repaired, serviced, calibrated
sent back to the manufacturer for whatever reason, will these regs
affect this as well?

Aslo, Grant, I've been trying to get in touch w/you in the last few
months w/r/t buying some more Wiard modules, but my emails seem to
have been blackholing? (or maybe your replies have been blackholing? 
I've no idea!)  What's the best way to get in touch?

Many thanks.