The sorption parameters of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) as well as Fe(III) in the presence of a complexing agent of a new generation to the anion exchangers of different basicity of functional groups were investigated. A series of experiments were conducted to optimise the method for the their removal from industrial effluents. it was found that the sorption efficiency of strongly, medium as well as weakly basic anion exchangers varied depending on metal ions concentration, pH, contact time, agitation, temperature and properties of anion exchangers such as their form. From the determined breakthrough Curves the distribution coefficients (D-g) and (D-t'), the ion exchange capacities (C-w, C-t) and the time required for the moving the exchange zone (t(z)) as well as the total time required for the formation of exchange zone (t(T)) were Calculated. The largest percentages of heavy metal complexes with IDS removal were found for the strongly basic anion exchanger (up to 98% for Cu(II), 82% for Fe(III), 67% for Ni(II) and 55% for Co(II)). Satisfactory results were also obtained for medium and weakly basic anion exchangers. Besides, a kinetic procedure was developed to study the kinetics of anion exchange. Two different kinetic behaviours were tested for the investigated systems. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.