An ASTM International Award of Merit and accompanying title of fellow has been given to Ronald Battema, president of Compliance Consulting Inc. in Bristol, Tenn.  The Award of Merit is the highest organizational recognition for individual contributions to ASTM standards activities.

ASTM Committee F11 on Vacuum Cleaners recognized Battema for his exemplary leadership and his outstanding contributions in the development of industry standards that benefit consumers as well as engineering and design professionals. 

A member of ASTM International since 1997, Battema currently serves as recording secretary of Committee F11.  He is a very active member of the committee, serving on multiple subcommittees and leading the groups on carpet wear, cleaning ability and energy usage and performance. F11 honored him with an Award of Appreciation in 2002 and the Outstanding Leadership Award in 2006.  He is also a member of Committee F40 on Declarable Substances in Materials.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, Conn., in 1979, Battema was a project engineer at Sensor Engineering Co., Hamden, Conn., and an engineering laboratory supervisor at Electrolux Corp., Old Greenwich, Conn., before taking on the role of chief certification engineer at Electrolux’s plant in Bristol, Va., in 1986. He formed his consulting firm in 2003.

Outside ASTM International, Battema is a member of several standards technical panels at Underwriters Laboratories, and he chairs the Bi-National Task Group for UL 1017/CSA C22.2 No. 243 (vacuum cleaner and floor finishing machines).  At the International Electrotechnical Commission, he is a member of the U.S. Technical Advisory Group to TC 61 on Safety of Household and Similar Electrical Appliances and SC 59F on Floor Treatment Appliances.

Release #8261