In this study, a semi-micro procedure for the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) was undertaken to allow the measurement of effluent samples with a high chloride content. It was found that the COD values for standard and effluent samples, corresponded closely to those obtained using the standard method of Burns and Marshall. When the method was applied to samples of industrial wastewater, with a very high chloride content, the recommended procedure proved to be accurate and precise, with RSDs of 6% and 4.3% for the standard and effluent solutions, respectively. The required amount of hazardous reagents was similar to that found in the standard closed reflux method. It was also possible to determine the total amount of oxidized halides. The use of this low-cost, laboratory-made system made it unnecessary to acquire an expensive, imported analytical system, while maintaining a high level of accuracy in the determinations.