This document specifies a method for the determination of extractable metals in leather using extraction with an acid artificial-perspiration solution and subsequent determination with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or spectrometry of atomic fluorescence (SFA). This method determines extractable metals in leather; it is not compound-specific or specific to the oxidation state of the metals. This method is especially suitable for determining the extractable chromium in chromium-tanned leathers.