X-ray absorption spectroscopy has been employed to investigate the differences between passive films on type AISI 304 stainless steel produced by anodic polarization at two scan rates and four potential values. Cr L I I I , I I spectra show that in all cases a Cr 2 O 3 film is formed at the surface. Fe and Ni signals have a mainly metallic lineshape with a possible small contribution from hydroxides, which is maximum for the polarized sample at the slowest scan rate and the maximum potential. Also for this sample a decrease in the Mn signal indicates Mn dissolution.