Extensive Expertise in Testing and Certification
Akio Sato brings more than 28 years of experience in product safety, quality management, testing, and certification. He began his professional career in 1997 at DeLonghi Japan, where he was responsible for quality assurance, sampling inspections, and failure analysis for household appliances.
Since joining VDE in 2006, Akio has held a variety of technical and leadership positions. After working in client services and as a technical reviewer and tester for consumer products, he developed deep expertise in photovoltaic module testing and certification according to international standards. From 2017 to 2025, he successfully led VDE’s renewable energy business in Japan as Country Manager, supporting customers with certification and technical advisory services for photovoltaic products and systems.
In addition to his operational responsibilities, Akio actively contributes to international standardization activities. He currently serves as a member of IEC Technical Committee 82 Working Group 2 (IEC TC82 WG2) and acts as Project Team Leader for the development of IEC TS 63564, an international technical specification addressing the electrical safety of photovoltaic modules in snowy environments. Furthermore, he led the initiative that resulted in the publication of JIS C 8995 in 2023, Japan’s first industrial standard for the electrical safety of Snow-PV modules.
Background and Qualifications
Akio Sato possesses extensive technical expertise in photovoltaics, product safety, and international certification. His qualifications include certification as a Solar Energy Project Evaluation Engineer. In addition, his strong international communication skills are reflected in a TOEIC score of 965.
A Japanese national, Akio is married and is committed to promoting quality, neutrality, and flexibility as core values of VDE in Japan. His vision is to further strengthen VDE’s role as a trusted partner for testing, certification, and technical advisory services while supporting the global transition toward a safe and sustainable energy future.
