This document specifies a method for the determination of total mercury in foodstuffs by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) after pressure digestion. This method was tested in a collaborative study carried out in connection with the pressure digestion method EN 13805 on seven different materials with a mercury concentration in the range from 0,005 mg/kg to 5,06 mg/kg and successfully validated in the range from 0,015 mg/kg to 5,06 mg/kg. The following foodstuffs were analysed: Saithe (dried); Celery (dried); Wheat noodle powder; Wild mushrooms (dried); Pig liver (dried); Cacao powder; Tuna fish (dried). The lower limit of the method s applicability varies depending on the food matrix and the water content of the foodstuff. It is a laboratory-specific value and is defined by the laboratory when calculating the limit of quantification (see 9.2).