The kinetics and mechanism of lactic acid oxidation in the presence of Mn(Ⅱ) and Ce(Ⅳ) ions by chromic acid were studied spectrophotometrically. The oxidation of lactic acid by Cr(Ⅵ) was found to proceed in two measurable steps, both of which gave pyruvic acid as the primary product in the absence of Mn(Ⅱ).2Cr(Ⅵ)+2CH3CHOHCOOH→ 2CH3COCOOH+Cr(Ⅴ)+Cr(Ⅲ)Cr(Ⅴ)+CH3CHOHCOOH→Cr(Ⅲ)+CH3COCOOHThe observed kinetics was explained due to the catalytic and inhibitory effects of Mn(Ⅱ) and Ce(Ⅳ) on the lactic acid oxidation by Cr(Ⅵ). The reactivity of lactic acid depends upon the experimental conditions. It acts as a two- or threeequivalent reducing agent in the absence or presence of Mn(Ⅱ). It was examined that Cr(Ⅲ) products resulting from the direct reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) by three-equivalent reducing agents. The oxidation of lactic acid follows the complex order kinetics with respect to [lactic acid]. The activation parameters Ea, △H#, and △S# were calculated and discussed.