A method for separating arsenic and heavy metals in an acidic washing solution which contains both arsenic and heavy metal, more particularly in a washing solution which is formed in copper smelting and contains sulphuric acid, comprises a separation process section, in which arsenic and at least one primary heavy metal are separated from one another. The separation process section comprises a processing step, in which hydrogen peroxide H2O2 is added to the washing solution, and the separation process section comprises a precipitation stage, in which the washing solution is admixed with a sulphide precipitation reagent, causing the at least one primary heavy metal to precipitate in the form of a metal sulphide. The processing step in this system is carried out before the precipitation stage.