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After his election, Stepken announced to raise the profile of the association in matters of future technologies. "The key challenges arise from the digitisation and global networking," said Stepken. "VdTÜV will enhance this transformation process with the expertise of its members." Other priorities of the association's agenda are the future of mobility and trade policy. "In particular, the current negotiations of international trade agreements show the importance of knowledge of the market conditions for an objective discussion," said Stepken.

Stepken paid tribute to his predecessor: "During Rettig’s presidency, the association successfully supported the preservation of the safety level in Germany and Europe." This was particularly the case in the area of industrial safety, in the discussion about the medical device legislation and in opening up to new topics such as Digital Transformation and Cyber Security.

Axel Stepken was born in Essen, Germany. He graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering from the RWTH Aachen and achieved his PhD in High Voltage Engineering in 1989.

Upon completion of his PhD, Axel Stepken worked at ABB where he held several Management positions in Germany and Indonesia within the Power Transmission and Distribution Segment. He joined TÜV SÜD AG as Member of the Board of Management responsible for the INDUSTRY and the former PEOPLE Strategic Business Segments as well as the Strategic Region ASIA. In June 2007 Axel Stepken was appointed the Chairman of the Board of Management of TÜV SÜD AG.