Part 3-1 of IEC 62321 describes the screening analysis of five substances, specifically lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), total chromium (Cr) and total bromine (Br) in uniform materials found in electrotechnical products, using the analytical technique of X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry.

It is applicable to polymers, metals and ceramic materials. The test method may be applied to raw materials, individual materials taken from products and “homogenized” mixtures of more than one material. Screening of a sample is performed using any type of XRF spectrometer, provided it has the performance characteristics specified in this test method. Not all types of XRF spectrometers are suitable for all sizes and shapes of sample. Care should be taken to select the appropriate spectrometer design for the task concerned.

The performance of this test method has been tested for the following substances in various media and within the concentration ranges as specified in Tables 1 to 5.