This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron and chromium in foodstuffs by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after dry ashing at 450 °C. The method is applicable to determination in various types of foodstuffs. The method has been successfully tested in an interlaboratory trial in which 16 laboratories participated [1]. Foodstuffs covered by the validation of the method include composite diets, cereals, fish, fruit, liver and milk. Specific foodstuffs for which European Standards exist are excluded from the scope of this horizontal European Standard. It is the task of the analyst to review if vertical standards exist.