A practical checklist for compliance, cleanliness and risk  

For aerospace and defence manufacturers, cleanliness is critical—not just for performance, but for safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance. Whether you’re cleaning precision machined components or items exposed to fuels and oils, effective parts washing in these sectors involves far more than removing visible dirt.

Here’s a checklist-style guide to the key areas you’ll want to consider when specifying or reviewing a parts washing process for high-risk applications.

Cleanliness Standards and Precision Tolerance  

• Are your cleaning results in line with required particulate levels?

  For UK and EU manufacturers, refer to standards such as ISO 16232 and VDA 19, which define acceptable particulate levels on components, particularly for fluid and fuel systems.

• Have you considered cleaning impact on tight tolerances and surface finishes?

  Aerospace parts are often sensitive to mechanical or chemical changes—select processes that preserve dimensions, coatings, and finishes.

• Is the cleaning process repeatable and validated?

  Consistency is essential. Define clear parameters for wash cycles, detergents, and inspection points—and document them.

Residue and Hazard Management

• Are components carrying flammable, reactive or hazardous residues?

  For parts exposed to jet fuel, hydraulic oils or pyrophoric materials, consider the need for:

  • Aqueous cleaning with neutral pH
  • Solvent-free or controlled-solvent systems
  • Non-sparking ultrasonic machines
  • Closed-loop water treatment for safe disposal

• Have COSHH and REACH regulations been assessed?

  Ensure your cleaning agents and processes comply with UK COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals – UK & EU versions).

• Is there appropriate ventilation, PPE and waste management in place?

  Some processes may generate vapours, residues, or contaminated water requiring specialist handling and discharge compliance.

Compliance with Aerospace Sector Standards

• Are you aligned with sector-specific certifications?

  While not every facility requires them, many aerospace customers or MoD contracts may ask for:

  • AS9100: Quality management specific to aerospace
  • NADCAP (or equivalent): Where chemical processing or cleanliness validation is required
  • ISO 9001: Standard baseline for quality control systems

• Is your cleaning process traceable and auditable?

  Documentation should include cycle logs, inspection records, and where applicable, third-party validation.

Final Checks Before Implementation 

• Do you know which cleaning media are approved for your component materials?
•  Have you established cleaning parameters that meet both engineering and environmental criteria?
•  Have machine operators been trained to understand both the process and the risks?
•  Is your process future-proofed for evolving standards or client audits?

Safe parts washing in aerospace and defence environments is about balancing technical precision with regulatory awareness. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution—but with the right checks in place, you can ensure compliance, reduce risk, and maintain the performance your projects demand.