2.V.8. Security awareness programs

To prevent inadequate awareness of security requirements, the applicant shall ensure that "staff whose responsibilities relate to security issues regularly participate in security awareness programs." The applicant must develop mechanisms to educate and train personnel on security policies, recognize deviations from such policies, and understand the actions to be taken in response to security deficiencies.

In particular, the applicant must:

• Train your staff and, where appropriate, your business partners, regarding the risks in the international supply chain.
• Provide training materials, specialized guidance, and appropriate training on the identification of suspected suspicious cargo to all relevant personnel involved in the supply chain, such as security personnel, cargo handling and documentation personnel, and employees in shipping and receiving areas. Such training must be available before the economic operator applies for AEO status.
• Maintain appropriate records of teaching methods, guidance provided, and training delivered to document awareness programs.
• Have a service or person (internal or external to the company) responsible for staff training.
• Inform employees of the company's existing procedures for identifying and reporting suspicious incidents.
• Provide specific training to help employees maintain cargo integrity, recognize potential internal security threats, and protect access controls.
• Review and update training content periodically when adjustments are needed. The training content should reflect any specific requirements related to the economic operator's specific business activity, such as air cargo transport, air mail, etc.

There is no mandatory frequency with which safety and security training must be re-delivered.

However, since personnel, buildings, procedures, and workflows can change frequently, awareness levels must be maintained by ensuring that training is regularly updated and refreshed.

Furthermore, it is mandatory for all new employees and any company employee assigned to a position related to the international supply chain for the first time to receive appropriate training.

Logically, the mechanisms for staff education and training in security policies mentioned above must be appropriate to the size of the company concerned (see Part 3, Section III, Section 3.III.2, "Small and medium-sized enterprises"). For example, in the case of micro-enterprises and SMEs, customs authorities may accept oral training, in all cases documented, and a reference to basic protection and security requirements in general procedures on this matter, or a simple awareness note approved by the relevant personnel.

At the same time, the frequency and intensity of safety and security training may vary among individual employees within a company depending on their responsibilities and their respective potential to influence the security of the international supply chain.

Applicants and their employees are encouraged to use the Commission's AEO eLearning tool to gain a general understanding of the AEO concept and related security requirements.