2.1.  Our concerns

We are concerned about the short notice of the proposed timing of this change. CalConnect is intimately aware of potential repercussions of such a change with short notice. We comprise of technology vendors and end-user organizations focused on the areas of date and time, calendaring, scheduling as well as time zone issues.

Practical experience from similar changes in the past indicates that such changes pose serious risks to the accuracy of stored time-related data and schedules (such as meetings, appointments, flights and transit schedules).

Users of services and products that depend on correct time zone information — universities, companies of all sizes, and many other types of organizations, as well as their suppliers — will face a major challenge that requires them to assess what software and hardware is affected, what update mechanisms are in place, and the mitigation measures necessary to be put in place.

While customers need adequate time for budgeting, procurement, and installation of upgrades or replacements for this change, vendors also need time to plan out the necessary product changes and perform sufficient testing, all while being pressured to meet market needs and fulfil regulatory compliance. An ​extended​ timeline will benefit all parties.

2.2.  Change management

Serious technical and operational problems can occur with an insufficient timeline given for time zone changes.

A number of time zone related changes performed in the past of different jurisdictions, were implemented without consideration of best practices and adequate planning, and have left user organizations, especially small and medium businesses, scrambling and suffering from the effects of using incorrect timezone information.

We strongly suggest extending the effective date of October 2019 to allow consumers and technology vendors alike ample time to prepare for the planned change. We recommend a transition period of at least one year according to our experience.

3.1.  Public workshop

CalConnect is organizing a public workshop dedicated to the EU proposal for abolishment of seasonal time change at our next conference in Zurich (Feb 4-8, 2019).

We call on all stakeholders (e.g., vendors, consumers, policymakers) interested in, or affected by this Directive, to ​http://www.calconnect.org/events/calconnect-xliv-february-4-8-2019[register] and participate in the workshop.

3.2.  Timezone distribution standard

Our members have created the standard for Time Zone Data Distribution Services (IETF RFC 7808). Today, most services and devices still rely on patching and manually updating time zone information instead of automated or dynamic updates.

We recommend the European Commission to strongly a support, collaborate on and call for adoption of of such open standards.

3.3.  Coordinated global effort with ISO/TC 154

We are working closely with other standards-setting organisations (including ISO/TC 154 and UNECE) to harmonize timezone information and distribution internationally.

We recommend regional standardization bodies in the European Union, such as CEN and CENELECT, as well as standardization bodies in its member countries, to participate in this global partnership.

3.4.  Public timezone change mailing list

We have set up a public mailing list to discuss the challenges and best practices relating to timezone and DST changes worldwide at: http://www.calconnect.org/resources/discussion-lists/time-zone-discussion.