Abstract: A gas diffusion layer having a layer (2) comprising fibers (1), whereby the fibers (1) are partially provided with a coating material (3), whereby the fibers (1) lie against each other at contact sites (4) and whereby the layer (2) has boundary surfaces (5) facing the surroundings—in terms of achieving the envisaged objective of ensuring an optimal electric conductivity—is characterized in that the fibers are freed of coating material (3) at the contact sites and/or at the boundary surfaces. Furthermore, a method is proposed for the production of a gas diffusion layer, said method comprising the step that the coating material (3) is selectively removed from the fibers (1) in certain areas.