Wisconsin Senate Bill 132 was signed prohibiting the unauthorized use of certain professional credentials, including Certified Hazardous Material Manager, or CHMM. Unless a person is certified by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM), the law prohibits that person from using the title of Certified Dangerous Goods Professional (CDGP), Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM), or Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP). The new Wisconsin law also provides protections for those certified by the American Board of Health Physics, the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, the Board of Certified Safety Professionals, and the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists.
The new law also prohibits a business from representing that services provided are furnished by one of these certified professionals unless those services are provided by a certified person. A person is also prohibited from misleading or deceiving another person by the unauthorized use of a certification mark awarded by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
The Wisconsin law considers a violation of these prohibitions an unfair method of competition in business or an unfair trade practice, and allows a person who suffers a monetary loss because of a violation to sue for twice the amount of the monetary loss and reasonable attorney fees. The law allows the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection to bring a court action for an injunction to restrain a violation of these prohibitions.
Caltha LLP provides services performed by Certified Hazardous Material Manager certified by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management.