Special Millennium Bug brochure launched

28/7/98

It is not just businesses that need to be concerned about the Year 2000 Bug (Y2K Bug) - it is also an issue for everyone with home electronic equipment which relies on date settings.

Fair Trading Minister Doug Shave said this today when launching a special Millennium Bug brochure which advises owners of such equipment to check that it is Year 2000 compliant.

The Ministry of Fair Trading prepared the brochure because it expects to receive growing numbers of requests for advice from the public over the next two years.

"Most of us have heard about the impact the bug could have on business but we also need to be aware that it could affect home equipment which relies on date-related information to work," Mr Shave said.

"Anyone who will be relying on such equipment on January 1, 2000, should contact the supplier or manufacturer to check that it is Year 2000 compliant and to ask for a written guarantee spelling this out.

"For computers this applies to hardware as well as software. Other home equipment that may be affected includes programmable microwave ovens, stoves, reticulation systems, VCRs and security devices."

Customers buying new equipment should check with the supplier that it will function properly when 2000 arrives. Date or time-reliant equipment on the market now should be Year 2000 compliant and if it is not, customers may have a legal right to redress.

"Because Year 2000 repairs and compliance checks have rapidly become a growth industry, consumers should remember to seek help from reputable specialists," Mr Shave said.

The new brochure Year 2000: Issues for Consumers is available by calling (08) 9222 0666 or from Fair Trading's website: www.wa.gov.au

Fair Trading has published a similar brochure specifically for small business operators. Both brochures point the way to other websites carrying information about the Year 2000 problem and some of these sites offer free test kits for people to check if their computer is compliant.

Media Contact: John Clune 9366 0300/ 041 603 0147