This paper describes a method for quantification of the four regulated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),(benzo[a]anthracene [BaA], chrysene [CHR], benzo[b]fluoranthene [BbF] and benzo[a]pyrene [BaP]), in the wide matrix groupof spices and dried herbs by gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS). The design of this method wasdrawn up using basic material and equipment available in most laboratories and a modular clean-up fitting for each category ofthis very diverse matrix group. The clean-up strategy consists of dividing this matrix group into three subclasses: regular spices,highly pigmented matrices and complex mix of spices/fatty spices. Depending on the subclass, SPE sorbent is adapted to removemaximum of co-extracts and to obtain clean samples. This method has a limit of quantification of 0.5 μgkg−1for each PAH andthe validation criteria fully satisfied the Commission Regulation (EU) No. 836/2011 (< 0.9 μgkg−1). The quantification per-formed by isotopic dilution allowed the complete correction of matrix effect and led to very good validation data with a meanrecovery close to 100% and a within-laboratory reproducibility below 10% (≤ 22% in Regulation (EU) No. 836/2011) for eachPAH and for each matrix group at all concentration levels tested. Furthermore, the method’s performance characteristics havebeen successfully assessed using a representative certified reference material for each subclass and at a level close to the MRL:10 μgkg−1for BaP and 50 μgkg−1for the sum of the 4 PAHs
