Next Generation DKE

DKE: How did you become involved with Next Generation DKE?

Lea: I first came into contact with the DKE through my work on various cybersecurity standardisation topics in medical technology. Through the DKE's Science-to-Standards programme, I was then able to have my Master's thesis funded, which opened up contact with Next Generation. I was particularly impressed by the idea of having a network in which you can exchange ideas.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Lea: Since the end of 2024, I have taken over the honorary project coordination of Next Generation at the DKE and thus also represent our interests in the DKE Steering Committee. Prior to that, I had already been the topic representative for medical technology within the NG since 2021.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you so excited about them?

Lea: I work in risk management in medical technology, a highly regulated sector in which many regulations and standards set the framework. These stringent requirements are crucial to ensure the protection, effectiveness and reliability of medical care. The best possible safety is always the result of careful risk management. However, I am particularly enthusiastic about the certainty that behind every product there is a real benefit for people - both users and patients.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Lea: In my role as a volunteer project manager for DKE's Next Generation, I want to support young experts in actively shaping their entry into the world of standardisation. It is important to me to show them how they can contribute their perspectives and ideas to make standards fit for the future. I want to create a network that promotes dialogue and provides support in the event of questions or challenges. Above all, I want to share my experience - from the DKE Science-to-Standards programme to the IEC's Young Professionals programme and my work as an expert on the committees. I am keen to use workshops, mentoring and practical insights to make others fit for standardisation work and show them what influence they can have on innovative developments and the safety of technologies. I want to encourage people to take responsibility and play an active role in shaping the standards of tomorrow.

DKE: How did you get involved with the Next Generation DKE?

Annette: When I started my journey in standardization in 2016, I had no knowledge of the Next Generation DKE, which was a missed opportunity. It was only through applying for the IEC Young Professionals Program the following year that I learned about the existence of Next Generation DKE. Therefore, it is very important to me to raise awareness about Next Generation and provide early support for new standardizers.

DKE: What area of work are you the contact person for at Next Generation DKE?

Annette: After being the honorary head of Next Generation from 2019 to 2024, I have been the topic representative for “battery technology” since 2025.

DKE: What topics or projects are you currently working on?

Annette: I work at Robert Bosch GmbH and am active in two different areas of standardization. Firstly, in the area of optical radiation safety, which involves ensuring that new types of laser products, such as lidar systems or data glasses, do not cause damage to the eyes or skin. I also work in the field of battery standardization for eBikes, where the new battery regulation in particular presents us with a number of challenges.

DKE: How do you want to support other Young Professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Annette: I would like to contribute my experience from my standardization work, the voluntary management of Next Generation DKE and as IEC Young Professionals Leader to offer a community and a wide range of events and support for new standardizers with Next Generation DKE. Among other things, I am involved in the organization of the following activities:

• Standardization Bootcamps "STANDARD in a DAY" 
• DKE YP Camp with an annual change in thematic focus
• Lectures on electrical engineering standardization at universities and conferences
• Mentor in the DKE Mentoring Program
• Networking of Young Professionals from different countries and support for the IEC Young Professionals
• Visits and laboratory tours related to batteries and the All Electric Society.

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Stefan: With the change from the development/testing of air conditioning systems to the area of requirements definition and approval of air conditioning systems, I was looking for opportunities to expand my knowledge in the area of standardization. In the process, I became aware of the Next Generation DKE, which offers me a good springboard into my new field of work thanks to its networking.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Stefan:I am on the Next Generation DKE as a representative for the air conditioning sector with a special focus on the camping industry.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Stefan: The world is currently in a state of upheaval in terms of climate policy. In air conditioning technology, I can see this above all in the discussions about refrigerants and the F-Gas Regulation. However, the changeover of refrigerants is also associated with new requirements from the standards. This is precisely where I come in and contribute my expertise from air conditioning technology to electrotechnical standardization in order to find the optimum solution for the climate, safety, the product and the market.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Stefan: It is important to think outside the box of one's field. We can only achieve a good result together. I would therefore encourage everyone to contact us if they are interested in standardization and to take advantage of the exchange of experience.

Thanks to the Next Generation DKE, I have also been sent out to the IEC Young Professionals Program in 2022 together with Mareen Tiedemann and Michael Dopichai, which has provided a great deal of new insight and contacts in international standardization. We would like to share this wealth of experience with other young people in order to keep standardization work young and dynamic.

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Michael: I studied electrical engineering and do work in the development of electric locomotives at Siemens.

My work routinely deals with the application of standards. As a result, I found out about the DKE and the Next Generation DKE program and, among other things, I participated in the “Standard in a Day” boot camp.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Michael: From now on – as the new topic representative of Next Generation DKE – I will report on the topics of railroad technology and functional safety, and share exciting news in this field with young professionals.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Michael: With railroads we have a technology where electromobility has been the standard for decades.

There are also many technical aspects that make railroads very energy efficient. The steel wheels and their low rolling friction, for example, make it possible for one person to pull a 90-ton locomotive. In comparison, for a 20-ton truck you should certainly be a strongman and be equipped with special footwear.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Michael: Well, since I have only been actively involved in standardization work for a short amount of time myself, I hope to be able to openly discuss my own initial experience in standardization with other young professionals.

And thus, I would like to inspire the one or the other for Next Generation DKE or active standardization work. Naturally, the topic of railroad standardization and railroad technology is particularly important to me.

DKE: How did you become involved with Next Generation DKE?

Christian: As a fairly new employee at the German Employers’ Liability Insurance Association for Energy, Textiles, Electrical and Media Products (BG ETEM), I am currently working my way into the multifaceted world of standardization, among other things. That's also how I found out about Next Generation DKE.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Christian: I'm the topic representative for "Occupational Safety - Electrical Hazards" at Next Generation DKE.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you so excited about them?

Christian: I studied electrical engineering and now I work for BG ETEM.
At our technical competence center we aim to prevent occupational accidents, occupational illnesses and work-related health hazards in relation to areas involving electrotechnology. In addition to providing support for their prevention work, our efforts aim at counteracting electrical hazards in a preventive manner as a partner to employers and insured persons in member companies. Therefore, we are involved in standardization, among other things.

What excites me personally about standardization work is the fact that I can participate in discussions on future technical rules with a focus on the safe operation of electrical systems, and that I can always exchange ideas with like-minded people about such technical aspects.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Christian: After having gained a bit of experience over the past several months, I would like to pass this on through personal exchange. I would also like to keep other young professionals up to date with reports on standardization work with regard to occupational safety and electrical hazards in order to get them interested in this topic.

DKE: How did you get involved with Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: I came to Next Generation DKE via the VDE Young Net, initially through standardization regulars' tables, and then I had the opportunity to meet some members of Next Generation DKE in person at events. The network, the people, the motivation of individuals and the drive of the group ultimately made me a part of Next Generation DKE.

DKE: For which area of work are you the person to contact at Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: I am a community representative and, in the technical sense, an interface for members and interested parties. Giving insights into the Next Generation DKE, promoting exchange and networking are very important to me.

DKE: What topics or projects are you working on at the moment and why are you excited about them?

Batuhan: I like to bring people together and find that team tasks require different perspectives and experiences, which is exactly where diversity plays a big role. My current topics are:

• Representation of the Next Generation DKE nationally as well as internationally.
• Supporting the organization of projects like the YP Camp
• Shaping and maintaining exchange and relationships among young professionals nationally and internationally.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Batuhan: It is important to pick up students and young professionals in good time and with attractive offers, to provide design opportunities and to promote sustainable cooperation in standardization. The Next Generation DKE offers precisely this platform.

DKE: How did you come to Next Generation DKE?

Jonas: I came to Next Generation through my former supervisor. He introduced me to the first standardisation topics (relating to the IEC 61406 ID Link and the IEC 63278-X Asset Administration Shell) and when I wanted to find out more about standardisation and its processes, I came across Next Generation DKE and was able to exchange ideas on this topic with other young professionals there. This made my entry into the world of standardisation much easier.

DKE: For which area of work are you the contact person at Next Generation DKE?

Jonas: As a regulars' table sponsor of Next Generation DKE, I am involved in the preparation and follow-up of the regulars' tables and take on the role of moderator during the regulars' tables.

DKE: What topics or projects are you currently working on and what excites you about them?

Jonas: I work at ZVEI e.V. as Manager for Technical Regulation and Standardisation. There I am responsible for all issues relating to the New Legislative Framework (NLF), whether for the directives or regulations that fall under it (such as the Machinery Ordinance), market surveillance or accreditation. My tasks also include leading and moderating working groups and expert committees on technical legislation at national and European level. In standardisation, I am only represented in horizontal committees such as the TBKON due to the density of regulation. The exciting thing about my work is the insight into the interplay between laws and standardisation. Tracking current and new regulations from an initial draft to a finalised regulation. But also the interaction with different stakeholders, such as the industry, the authorities and the standardisation institutes.

DKE: How would you like to support other young professionals in your role at Next Generation DKE?

Jonas: As the moderator of the Next Generation DKE regulars' table, I want to offer young professionals an opportunity to build up an informative network, get to know each other and exchange ideas with experts. Even though we are spread all over Germany, the virtual regulars' table offers important support for those interested in standardisation to delve deeper into standardisation topics.

In addition, the first face-to-face regulars' table took place in June 2024, which offered participants another opportunity to network with other young professionals.

The Young Professionals Workshop of the IEC Young Professionals Programme always takes place during the annual IEC General Meeting. As part of Next Generation DKE we always send young engineers who are involved in standardization to this event. Take this opportunity to inform yourself!
Would you like to learn more about the IEC Young Professionals Programme?
You can find more information at the