Commercially available strongly basic polystyrene anion exchangers were used in the anion exchange process of sorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), Pb(II) and Cd(II) complexes with ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) in the M(II):EDDS = 1:1 system. The batch experiments using Amberjet 4200, Amberjet 4400, Amberjet 4600 and Purolite A520E were carried out to optimalise the removal of formed complexes. There were changes in the following parameters: pH, phase contact time, concentrations, and temperature. Based on the obtained data the sorption parameters were estimated. The maximum sorption capacity of these anion exchangers was found for Cu(II) complexes. It was observed that 30-60 min was enough time to attain equilibrium. It was also shown that the kinetics of the sorption process depends on the type of anion exchanger used. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to fit the experimental data. The obtained plots were linear for the Langmuir equilibria and in good agreement with the experimental results. From their slopes and y-intercepts the sorption parameters were calculated. For Amberjet 4200 the desorption of the above-mentioned complexes using 1 M NaCl, 1 M HCl, 1 M HNO3 and 1 M H2SO4 solutions was also carried out. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.