Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) is a new method for the extraction of organic compounds from soils, sludges and other wastes. Due to the elevated temperatures and pressures, the ASE is a time-saving procedure with low consumption of solvents. Applications of this procedure for the determination of chlorinated pesticides in contaminated soils, for the determination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in heap material, slurry from copper smelting (Theissenschlamm) and soils and for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in a fly ash sample are given. Optimization of the procedure relating to extraction time, number of extractions and solvents is described. Comparisons with other extraction methods (Soxhlet extraction and automated Soxhlet extraction) are carried out.