This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the content of cadmium, chromium, nickel and lead in fertilizers and liming materials using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) after aqua regia dissolution. Limits of quantification are dependent on the sample matrix as well as on the instrument, but can roughly be expected to be 0,3 mg/kg for Cd and 1 mg/kg for Cr, Ni and Pb.NOTE 1 Due to significant interference from Cu, Fe and Mn, no valid results can be reported using this method for fertilizer matrices containing high concentrations (≥ 10 %) of these micro-nutrients.NOTE 2 The term fertilizer is used throughout the body of this European Standard and needs to be taken to include liming materials unless otherwise indicated.