scope:

This guideline forms the basis for the drafting of VDI Guidelines. Furthermore, it serves to clarify the objective, mode of working and legal context of VDI Guideline Work for all interested parties both nationally and internationally.

VDI Guidelines in particular set a target on the following objectives:

• provision of directive technical and scientific procedural documentation and decision-making aids
• description of state of the art, research and science [1]
• issuing of generally acknowledged rules of technology [1]
• harmonization of terminology and technical language
• giving a more precise meaning to indefinite legal terms for particular areas in the context of the respective legal definition
• treatment of technical questions from scientific and economic standpoints
• formulation of assessment and evaluation criteria
• promotion of professional exchanges of experiences and technology transfer
• assistance in the practical realisation of technical developments and initiation of technicallyrelated scientific developments
• support of standardization work in parallel to technical developments
• creation of organization principles
• provision of technical support to legislation, for example through references to VDI Guidelines in acts, ordinances and administrative regulations
• establishment of a basis for business terms and contracts
• practical explanation and supplementation of national, European and international technical rules

The work on VDI Guidelines also serves to determine a consolidated national position with the objective of introducing this into European and international technical standardization work in coordination with the German representatives of the agencies supporting these rules. In this respect, the involvement of experts from other countries in VDI Guidelines Work may be appropriate.