Electrochemical oxidation of 2-chlorophenol was studied at Ti/PbO2 and Ti/SnO2 anodes. The performance of the electrodes was evaluated in terms of faradaic yield and fraction of toxic intermediates removed during the electrolysis. Results showed that, although similar average faradaic yields were obtained using Ti/PbO2 or Ti/SnO2 anodes, the latter material is preferred because of its ;better ability to oxidise toxic compounds. An effective electrochemical treatment (eta(F) congruent to 50%) may be accomplished, in which electrolysis at Ti/SnO2 can be stopped when, in spite of a relatively high COD, only a small amount of easily biodegradable oxalic acid is present in the effluent.