The Instrument Reprocessing Working Group (AKI) was first set up in 1976 in Germany. Since its inception, its members have devoted themselves to the collection and publication of expertise relating to the safety and value retention of the instruments used in human, dental and veterinary medicine. Our Mission is the creation, consolidation and publication of expertise and know-how covering the development and production of medical products, washer-disinfectors, sterilisers, process chemicals and their interaction during reprocessing. To this end, experts from a variety of disciplines such as chemists, microbiologists, material scientists, mechanical engineers, biomedical engineers, product managers, professors of biosciences and process technology, and service managers work closely together in a spirit of trust and cooperation spanning fields of knowledge and companies.