At UL Standards & Engagement, we often talk about the invisible impact of standards. Throughout the average U.S. home, there are approximately 125 ULSE standards that help ensure safety for everyday life. Most consumers are unaware of the standards that help to keep their small electronics and household appliances functioning properly, yet because of these standards, they are able to go about their daily lives trusting in their safety.
And behind each of these documents is an incredibly skilled technical committee of experts who quietly work behind the scenes to develop and improve these safety requirements. Though their influence is not always known by consumers, we at USLE want all of our stakeholders to know how deeply we appreciate their commitment to safety.
Each year, through the ULSE Stakeholder Awards & Recognition (STAR) Ceremony, we highlight and celebrate the critically important contributions they make through our standards development process each year.
On June 10, I had the privilege of meeting and celebrating many of these experts at our third annual STAR Awards.
Nominations for 2025 were received from ULSE staff and award winners were selected by a panel of leadership team members. The panel carefully reviewed more than 40 impressive nominations and selected eight award winners from this group who demonstrated exceptional commitment in advancing safety through ULSE standards.
We at ULSE would like to congratulate the award winners, and also want to thank all of our technical committee members and stakeholders for sharing your expertise. We look forward to recognizing more of your contributions in the years ahead.
Please join us in celebrating the 2025 STAR Award winners.
2025 ULSE STAR Awards Categories and Winners
Dedicated Service Award
The Dedicated Service Award recognizes technical committee members for their voluntary service to standards development through outstanding performance, committed service length, advancement of the UL mission, and enthusiasm when participating.
Winner — Edgar Wolff-Klammer: Edgar is recognized for two decades of dedicated service to ULSE standards development across more than 20 technical committees. With nearly 100% voting participation, he has played a key role in advancing major standards initiatives and ensuring requirements remain aligned with evolving technologies and regulatory needs. Beyond his technical leadership, Edgar is widely respected for his professionalism, reliability, and willingness to support colleagues and industry members alike.
Winner — J.R. Nerat: J.R. is recognized for his many years of outstanding contributions to ULSE standards development and active leadership in multiple task groups. His collaborative leadership has driven meaningful progress, helped advance key standards into new editions, and helped ensure continued alignment with evolving technologies and safety expectations. He is widely respected for his responsiveness, mentorship, and ability to strengthen committee participation by encouraging and supporting new members.
Impactful Member of the Year Award
The Impactful Member of the Year Award recognizes TC members who have displayed leadership and advocacy within technical committees, impacting the development of ULSE standards over the past year.
Winner — Alex Schraiber: Alex is recognized for her exceptional leadership and technical contributions to ULSE standards development. Over the past year, Alex played an important role in guiding TC 9540 through one of the most significant revision cycles in the history of UL 9540A, helping advance large‑scale fire testing requirements while preserving the standard’s critical role in battery energy storage system safety. Widely respected for her professionalism, clarity, and fairness, Alex exemplifies the impact that dedicated, technically grounded engagement can have on both the standards and the committees that develop them.
Winner — Reginald Phillips: Reginald Phillips is recognized for his leadership and service as External Chair for the Technical Committee for Vehicle Theft Deterrent Equipment and Systems. Reginald is known for his collaborative approach, his ability to build consensus, and his commitment to strengthening committee engagement and stakeholder participation. His steady leadership and advocacy within ULSE and on the global stage have made a meaningful and lasting impact on our standards work.
Impactful New Contributor Award
The Impactful New Contributor Award recognizes a TC member active for five years or less, whose early level of engagement and enthusiasm demonstrates strong promise as a continuing contributor to ULSE standards development.
Winner — Rebecca Le: Rebecca is recognized for her exceptional leadership, technical expertise, and dedication to safety across ULSE Standards development. A highly engaged member of Technical Committees 2743 and 2580, Rebecca has played a key role in advancing complex proposals, mentoring newer contributors, and maintaining momentum throughout ballot cycles. Having joined her first TC in 2021, her thoughtful technical input and collaborative approach have already elevated the quality and effectiveness of ULSE standards development.
Winner — Philip Escobedo: Philip is recognized for his leadership and rapidly growing influence across multiple ULSE technical committees. He has supported the advancement of new safety requirements within UL 1563, the standard for Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated Equipment, by leading a newly formed task group focused on heat pumps using flammable refrigerants. Philip also identified important alignment issues with IEC and independently prepared a proposal for revisions to the next edition of the international standard, showcasing his commitment to harmonization and broader standards thinking. Within his first five years of membership, Philip has strengthened committee discussions, supported multiple standards projects, and shown the kind of proactive, collaborative leadership that elevates the entire standards development process.
Global Impact Award
The Global Impact Award award recognizes a partner whose contributions have positioned ULSE to further its mission through advocacy, which includes increasing organizational awareness and building or maintaining a positive reputation globally.
Winner — Department of Trade & Industry- Bureau of Philippine Standards (DTI-BPS): DTI-BPS has been selected for its transformative partnership with UL Standards & Engagement. In the four years since signing an MOU with ULSE, DTI-BPS has integrated more than 80 ULSE standards into the core of the Philippines’ standards infrastructure and consumer safety framework. DTI‑BPS has organized many joint high impact events that have brought together policymakers, regulators, manufacturers, and safety experts, and facilitated dialogue with key agencies including the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Bureau of Fire Protection. Through bold advocacy and decisive regulatory action, DTI‑BPS has shown how national authorities can utilize ULSE global standards as enforceable protections. Its work stands as a compelling model of how strategic advocacy delivers real‑world impact, which is the spirit of the Global Impact Award.
Collaborative Committee Impact Award
The Collaborative Committee Impact Award highlights an exemplary ULSE technical committee whose consistent collaboration, thought leadership, and expertise, has made distinctive and impactful contributions to ULSE standards.
Winner — TC 746, Polymeric Materials: TC 746, Polymeric Materials is recognized for exceptional collaboration in stewarding a complex portfolio of standards. In the committee’s subgroups, joint authorship of proposals and shared technical ownership are the norm, reflecting a willingness to collaborate deeply and collectively on emerging topics. TC 746 consistently works to ensure alignment, consistency, and technical accuracy across its standards portfolio, reinforcing a shared sense of purpose among members, despite the breadth and complexity of the work. In 2025, TC 746 made measurable impact through the support of eight publications. The committee’s ability to manage a broad and interconnected standards portfolio while maintaining a collaborative culture has truly exemplified the spirit of this award.
