The electrochemical oxidation of phenol in the presence of NaCl for wastewater treatment was studied at Ti/SnO2 and Ti/IrO2 anodes. The experimental results have shown that the presence of NaCl catalyses the anodic oxidation of phenol only at Ti/IrO2 anodes due to the participation of electro-generated ClO- in the oxidation. Analysis of the oxidation products has shown that initially organo-chlorinated compounds are formed in the electrolyte which are further oxidized to volatile organics (CHCl3).