This part of ISO 11212 specifies a method for the determination of the mercury content of starch, including derivatives and by-products, by atomic absorption spectrometry with cold-vapour generation. The cold-vapour generators currently available use very different techniques; it is thus impossible to propose a comprehensive method likely to ensure the attainment of satisfactory results on all types of apparatus. Each analyst should therefore optimize the conditions of use of his/her own apparatus on the basis of general or particular instructions.