Barley specifications must comply with ISIRI standards for aflatoxin levels. The following physical factors apply:

Test weight minimum of 65 kgs/hl
Maximum 3% broken kernels
Maximum 0.75% heat damaged kernels
Maximum 2% insect kernels
Maximum 0.08% mouldy kernels
Maximum 2% foreign materials
Maximum 2 datura seeds per 100 grams of toxic kernels
Maximum 4% other grains

Chemistry factors include a maximum moisture content of 14%, a minimum protein level of 10%, and a maximum TVN level of 50 mg/100 grams.

Heavy metals in barley must be limited to a maximum of:

Lead: 10 mg/kg
Cadmium: 1 mg/kg
Arsenic: 2 mg/kg
Mercury: 0.1 mg/kg

Microbiological factors include:

E.coli: maximum of 10 in one gram
Mould colony: maximum of 5x105 CFU/gram
Salmonella: not present in 25 grams

Finally, the barley must be free from live insects and have total aflatoxin levels below a maximum of:

Total aflatoxin: max.20
Aflatoxin B1: max.5
Aflatoxin B2: max.5