Signature authority

The University of Wisconsin Board of Regents (BOR) has a policy within which documents/ transactions require the signer to have recognized signature authority (BOR policy 13-2). Sometimes, questions come up as to whether or not certain waste management documents, such as hazardous waste manifests, are included in this policy.

Waste manifests and other waste management documents are not covered under BOR 13-2, nor is there another policy that would limit signatures on manifests.

However, it is a good operational practice to control signature authority (i.e., specify certain departmental employees to sign) as these documents have potential long-term liabilities associated with them. Personnel who sign Uniform Hazardous Waste Manifests are required to be certified hazmat employees.