Decision (EU) 2019/2194 of the European Central Bank of 29 November 2019 on the granting of signing powers (ECB/2019/33)

Functional signing powers

Article 1

1.   By virtue of their function, persons shall be authorised in their respective areas of responsibility to legally commit the ECB to third parties as further specified in Annex I and II. 2.   For the purpose of determining a category under paragraph 1 in cases where it is not possible to clearly determine the net value of the commitment entered into, a reasonable and cautious estimation shall be made. This estimation shall take into account potential risks involved for the ECB, in particular financial and reputational risks.

Signing powers by special authorisation

Article 2

1.   For cases not covered by Article 1 and where justified, the Chief Services Officer, acting on behalf of the President, is exceptionally granted the power to authorise other members of staff of the ECB, (members of staff or short-term contract employees) to legally commit the ECB to third parties. 2.   The Chief Services Officer shall submit to the President an annual report on the decisions taken on the basis of the powers granted in accordance with paragraph 1.

Signing powers authorisation for third parties

Article 3

1.   The Chief Services Officer, acting on behalf of the President, is granted the power in matters falling under the Chief Services Officer’s areas of responsibility to exceptionally authorise a person who is not an ECB member of staff to legally commit the ECB to third parties in accordance with instructions provided by the ECB in order to implement contractual agreements the ECB entered into with that person or with an entity to which this person is affiliated. 2.   This shall not include the right of further sub-authorisation.

Book of Authorised Signatories of the ECB

Article 4

The members of staff of the ECB authorised to legally commit the ECB to third parties shall be listed in the Book of Authorised Signatories of the ECB as referred to in Article 14.2 of Decision ECB/2004/2  ( 1 ) .

Entry into force

Article 5

This Decision shall enter into force on 1 January 2020.

ANNEX ISupplementary provisions

ANNEX I Category Functional signing power Net value B Members of the Executive Board other than the President; the Chair of the Supervisory Board; the Chief Services Officer No limit, if co-signed by a signatory in category C or higher C All members of staff holding a position allocated to salary bands K or L Above EUR 2 000 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category B Up to EUR 2 000 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category D or higher D All members of staff holding a position allocated to salary bands I or J, The Spokesperson of the Staff Committee Up to EUR 2 000 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category C or higher Up to EUR 20 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category E or higher E Project Managers who are designated by the PSG chair Up to EUR 20 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category D or higher Up to EUR 1 000 if co-signed by a signatory in category E or higher

ANNEX IISupplementary provisions

ANNEX II For certain commitment categories, the following derogations to Annex I apply. Commitment categories Signing power Employment Authorised signatories in DG/HR Letter of appointment commencing the employment relationship or leading to a promotion   — Executive Board members and positions at salary bands K and L — One signatory in category B and one signatory in category C — Positions at salary bands I and J — One signatory in category C and one signatory in category D — Any other member of staff, secondee or trainee — One signatory in category D and one signatory in category E Subsequent changes to the letter of appointment and other documents changing the employment status (e.g. contract extensions, transfers and other mobility)   — Executive Board members and positions at salary bands K and L — One signatory in category C and one signatory in category D — Any other member of staff, secondee or trainee — One signatory in category D and one signatory in category E Procurement Signing power Documentation affecting the legal status of suppliers in procurement procedures, in particular award and rejection letters (excluding the signing of the contract) For procurement procedures for which no Procurement Committee (PRC) is established: One signatory in category D and one signatory in category E from the unit with budget responsibility for the procurement. For procurement procedures for which a PRC is established: The chairperson of the PRC or, in his/her absence, another signatory in category D from the unit with budget responsibility for the procurement and one authorised signatory from the Central Procurement Division. Contract management Signing power in the unit with budget responsibility Contract amendments As a rule, signatories according to the value of the contract amendment as per Annex I. Exceptions: — For substantial amendments, signatures of signatories in the same category as for the initial contract signature. — For minor amendments, signatures of at least one signatory in category D and one signatory in category E. Termination of a contract Signatures of signatories in the same category as for the initial contract signature. Other contract management measures, e.g. acceptance certificate, set-offs, contract extensions which are provided for in the contract. Signatures of at least one signatory in category D and one signatory in category E are required, unless the value or significance of the contract implies a higher category.