Medical-device OEMs should remain wary even though they are exempt from the EU RoHS directive that went into effect July 2006, says Solectron. The Calif.-based electronic contract manufacturer (solectron.com) says it monitors EU RoHS directives and similar regulations passed or in legislation in China, Taiwan, Canada, and Mexico, as well as some U.S. states. It seems the medical exemption is not permanent, according to Solectron. Also, as other industries move away from regulated substances, suppliers are likely to charge more for noncompliant components. Supplies might even disappear altogether. Therefore, says Solectron, medical OEMs should consider design changes now before a real crisis looms. The firm has guidelines for medical-device companies for evaluating positions relative to RoHS.