WRITTEN QUESTION No. 3658/98 by José GARCÍA-MARGALLO Y MARFIL to the Commission. The millennium bug
Date: 1998-12-07
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: computer system, dissemination of EU information, environmental risk prevention, industrial hazard, information network, public awareness campaign, public service, transport company

C 207/104

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

21.7.1999

GATS (aircraft repair and maintenance services, computer reservation system services, selling and marketing
of air transport services).

The audio-visual sector is also covered by the GATS as a result of the Uruguay round. However, during the
Uruguay round the Community and its Member States did not make any commitments on audio-visual
services and made a number of exemptions from the GATS MFN (most-favoured nation) principle, in order to
preserve their respective audio-visual policies. The same approach has been followed by a large majority of
WTO members. Currently a consultation process has been launched for this sector and the results will be taken
into account in preparation of the strategy for the forthcoming multilateral negotiations in WTO.

(1999/C 207/139)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3658/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: The millennium bug

It has been established that the ‘millennium bug’, a problem also known as the ‘year 2000 effect’, may affect all
types of programmable electronic systems (PESs), ranging from mainframe computers to microchips.

These systems are employed for all nature of industrial purposes at the various stages of the production
process, in the transport sector, in the public services and so forth. Furthermore, the said systems are date-
dependent and their reaction on the first day of the new millennium will be critical. For those reasons, it would
advisable to pinpoint the risks involved.

Has the Commission envisaged organising a seminar of any kind on awareness of this potential problem and
how it can be prevented?

Answer given by Mr Bangemann on behalf of the Commission

(18 January 1999)

The problems associated with the millennium bug have been widely discussed during the past few years in the
Community, and particularly during 1998, in many different channels of communication, including press,
television, and conferences. Most Member States have already carried out awareness campaigns, or plan to do
so in the near future. In such circumstances, it is not clear that a Commission awareness campaign could offer
significant added value. There are also practical issues to be taken into account arising from national and local
specificities.

The Commission’s Year 2000 world wide web site (http:/www.ispo.cec.be/y2keuro) provides access to a
wealth of international information on the problem and how to take action.

(1999/C 207/140)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3660/98

by José García-Margallo y Marfil (PPE) to the Commission

(7 December 1998)

Subject: The millennium bug

It has been established that the ‘millennium bug’, a problem also known as the ‘year 2000 effect’, may affect all
types of programmable electronic systems (PESs), ranging from mainframe computers to microchips.

These systems are employed for all nature of industrial purposes at the various stages of the production
process, in the transport sector, in the public services and so forth. Furthermore, the said systems are date-
dependent and their reaction on the first day of the new millennium will be critical. For those reasons, it would
advisable to pinpoint the risks involved.