A process for producing phosgene having low content of carbon tetrachloride is disclosed. The process entails reacting carbon monoxide with chlorine in the presence of elemental carbon, in a reactor. Critically the temperature of the gas stream emerging from the reactor is restricted to 30 to 80 C. and its pressure, measured directly downstream from said reactor is restricted to 120 to 400 kPa_abs. The phosgene thus produced has a content of carbon tetrachloride that is less than 150 ppm.