airco well® – now a generally accepted standard of good engineering practice
Why this clarification is crucial for auto repair shops
Hygienic cleaning of vehicle air-conditioning systems has long since ceased to be a niche issue. The VDI/ZDK Guideline 6032 has provided a clearly defined technical framework for the professional cleaning of vehicle air-conditioning systems for years.
airco well® is now taking the next logical step in its communications:
Instead of referring to the “state of the art”, we will henceforth use the term “generally accepted rule of technology”.
What may initially sound like a subtle linguistic distinction is, in practice, highly significant for repair shops.
State of the art vs. generally accepted rules of technology – the difference
According to case law, the state of the art refers to the best technical process currently available—often innovative, but not yet backed by many years of practical experience.
The generally accepted rules of technology, on the other hand, stand for:
- Recognition by professional circles and associations
- Proven performance in daily use
- Reliability and suitability in practice
This is precisely where airco well® stands today:
The hygienic cleaning of automotive air-conditioning systems in accordance with VDI/ZDK 6032 is recognized, widely used, and proven in everyday workshop practice.
Why airco well® meets this standard today
✅ Recognition by the automotive trade
Since 2024, the VDI/ZDK 6032 guideline has served as the key reference for the hygienic cleaning of air-conditioning systems in Germany’s automotive industry. It is endorsed and recognized by the leading industry associations.
✅ Proven in practice
airco well® has been used successfully in automotive workshops for years—with no complaints, consistently reproducible results, and acceptance by OEMs. The combination of chemical and mechanical cleaning reliably meets the requirements of the guideline in day-to-day workshop operations.
✅ Transparency and discoverability
The requirements of VDI/ZDK 6032 are publicly available and clearly defined. Workshops can access comprehensive information at any time and align their processes accordingly. In addition, automotive businesses wishing to deepen their expertise in indoor air hygiene beyond practical application can find providers of VDI/ZDK 6032 specialist training courses.
What this means for your workshop in practical terms
Legal Certainty in Day-to-Day Workshop OperationsWorkshops that professionally clean vehicle air-conditioning systems for hygiene purposes are required to work in accordance with the generally accepted rules of technology.
The VDI/ZDK 6032 guideline is mandatory for this purpose.
Important:
Measures such as fragrance-only treatments, foam applications, or disinfection do not technically meet the requirements of 6032. Accordingly, they do not constitute cleaning of a vehicle air-conditioning system and, in the event of a dispute between the customer and the repair shop, will be deemed a material defect.
Consumer protection and warranties: an often underestimated factor
For consumers, VDI/ZDK 6032 is a safeguard.
If work is not carried out in accordance with technical standards, extensive warranty rights arise in the event of a dispute:
- Subsequent performance
- Reduction of the invoice amount
- Withdrawal from the contract
- Damages
For repair shops, this means:
Standards-compliant cleaning not only protects customers, but also gives automotive businesses confidence when choosing a cleaning method.
6032 becomes part of key industry standards
Hygienic air-conditioning system cleaning in accordance with VDI/ZDK 6032 is not merely a recommendation. It is the standard for the hygienic operation of automotive air-conditioning systems and is referenced accordingly:
- for occupational safety during maintenance work on automotive air-conditioning systems
- in Automotive trade training and continuing education
- in the new proof of air-conditioning expertise, (EU) No 2024/573
- in the standardization of vehicle air conditioning, VDA/DIN 1946
The goal is always the same:
Regular, professional, and hygienic cleaning of vehicle air-conditioning systems.
airco well®: Recognized safety
By clearly classifying it as a “generally accepted rule of technology”, airco well® reflects the legal and technical reality:
- no theory
- no experiments
- but rather tested, proven, and recognized practice
For auto repair shops, this means:
- clear guidance
- legal certainty
- a strong selling point for customers
- and a professional supplementary business with continuity
Conclusion for repair shops
Anyone cleaning vehicle air-conditioning systems today should not be asking whether the work is being carried out in accordance with VDI/ZDK 6032—but rather how consistently.
airco well® provides a proven practical solution that is recognized as a generally accepted standard of good engineering practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Air Conditioning Cleaning in Accordance with VDI/ZDK 6032
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