This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the elements cadmium and lead in animal feeding stuffs by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS) after pressure digestion.

The method was successfully tested in the range of 0,015 mg/kg to 5,65 mg/kg for Cd and 0,18 mg/kg to 40,3 mg/kg for lead in 11 animal feeds: 2 complete feeds (pig feed, sheep feed), 2 complementary feeds (2 mineral feeds), 1 mineral premixture, 4 feed materials (MgO, 2 phosphates, CaCO₃) and 2 feed additives (CuSO₄, bentonite).

For the determination of extractable lead in minerals and feeds, containing phyllosilicates (e.g. kaolinite clay) wet digestion with diluted nitric acid should be used.

The method limit of quantification for each element is dependent on the sample matrix as well as the instrument. For cadmium a limit of quantification of 0,05 mg/kg should normally be obtained while for lead, a limit of quantification of 0,5 mg/kg should be obtained.