COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 28 June 1999

on measures to address the year 2000 computer problem

(1999/C 200/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Commission communication of 25 February 1998 entitled "The year 2000 computer problem";

Having regard to the Presidency Conclusion of the Cardiff European Council of 15 and 16 June 1998 which recognised that problems associated with information technology and other electronic systems arising from the year 2000 could have serious cross-border effects, as well as the need for Member States to share best practice in addressing the problem and the importance of establishing national programmes to raise awareness and prescribe action to minimise possible disruption;

Having regard to the Commission report to the Vienna European Council of 11 and 12 December 1998 on "How the EU is tackling the year 2000 computer problem";

Having regard to the Presidency Conclusions of the Vienna European Council of 11 and 12 December 1998 which urged Member States to implement timely plans for the protection of their own infrastructure and to continue to raise awareness across all sectors, focusing in particular on the public sector and small and medium-sized enterprises, and to examine closely the implications of the problem of supply-chain failures outside the European Union, to draw up contingency plans to address this, and to exchange information with their counterparts in other Member States;

RECOGNISING that:

- the problem is global in nature;

- year 2000 compliance can only be ensured by the suppliers and users of computer-based systems and technical systems with embedded electronics;

- each Member State and each organisation, private or public, should address the problem within their respective environments and should take measures to minimise the risks associated therein;

- governments should inform the public at large about the nature of the problem and the need to take timely action; governments can demonstrate leadership and increase public confidence by effectively tackling the problem in the public sector;

- providing information concerning the activities and progress of the public sector and of vital national and international public utilities and infrastructure is an effective means of maintaining public confidence;

- the complex interactions and dependencies between organisations and infrastructure is such that it is not possible to provide absolute assurances that all aspects of the year 2000 computer problem have been covered in spite of the best efforts and that there may still be problems arising on or around 1 January 2000 which will require immediate attention by all parties involved;

WELCOMES the initiative of the Commission in establishing a group of experts from the Member States and representatives of industry and of vital infrastructure providers on this topic, and in hosting regular meeetings to facilitate the exchange of information and experience within the European Union and invites the Commission to keep the Council informed on these activities;

ENCOURAGES the Member States and the Commission as well as the providers of vital infrastructure to share information and models of best practice;

INVITES the Member States to:

- continue to monitor and report on the progress of the public sector and of key infrastructure, recognising the need to disclose information to the public at large, particularly consumers, as well as to other Member States or to third countries having legitimate economic interests in their country;

- ensure that contingency plans are in place to secure the continuity of essential services in the event of disruptions of normal services, and to handle emergencies should these arise;

ENCOURAGES companies and industry associations to:

- establish an open and proactive information policy on the year 2000 Computer Problem;

- respond to rerquests for information by other organisations and the public at large, particularly consumers, by providing timely and reliable information on their progress and acltivities in this domain;

- participate in the activities of relevant international bodies addressing the year 2000 computer Problem;

CALLS ON THE MEMBER STATES AND THE COMMISSION, in accordance with their respective competences, to work collaboratively on the identification of critical cross-border infrastructure or risks, (both internal and external to the Union and including those provided or regulated by international organisations), and to encourage appropriate measures to be taken for maintaining the integrity and continuity of essential services and to reduce potential cross-border risks.

Furthermore, CALLS ON THE MEMBER STATES, together with THE COMMISSION, to further strengthen contacts, dialogue, and assistance, including through international fora, industry associations and other appropriate bodies, with third countries having significant relations with the Union in terms of important infrastructure or other interactions, to help ensure that these countries are taking all appropriate measures with respect to these linkages.