The global shortage of computer chips affecting the automotive industry is also impacting the Badging Office.
Every security badge at the airport has a microchip in it, and the Badging Office’s vendor is finding it increasingly difficult to acquire the needed computer chips.
Airport businesses can help by making sure that the badge they are requesting for an employee has all the designations required the first time through the application process. For example, if a business later decides to add an “escort” designation, that requires the Badging Office to print another security card with another microchip.
For security badges with custom seals – which allow employees to work in the customs area or load bags onto international flights -- make sure the employee has the appropriate approval in-hand from U.S. Customs and Border Protection before picking up their badge. This will prevent the need for an additional badge to be issued later.
Also, certain employee groups and companies at the airport are currently issued badges with a six-month expiration.
To conserve badges, beginning Monday, May 17, the Badging Office will issue those badges with a one-year expiration. This will also save companies money and time (employees will have one less trip to get their badge renewed and signers will reduce the number of times paperwork is filled out) as they recover from the pandemic.
This new one-year expiration will apply to new badges and renewals for employees who previously had a six-month badge.
The Badging Office cannot re-print badges retroactively as we make this change. The Office may also reinstate the six-month expiration time if the percent of non-returned badges increases, or for an individual company on a case-by-case basis.
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