In a process for removing ethyl acetate from a process stream comprising vinyl acetate, acetic acid, water and an ethyl acetate impurity, by the steps of: (a) introducing the process stream to a distillation column, (b) distilling the process stream to obtain a vinyl acetate-containing fraction at an upper end of the distillation column and an acetic acid-containing fraction at a lower end of said distillation column, and (c) withdrawing, a side stream comprising the ethyl acetate from an intermediate region of the distillation column, it has been found that by withdrawing the side stream as a vapour, the concentration of ethyl acetate obtainable from the distillation column is higher than the concentration of ethyl acetate obtainable by withdrawing the side stream as a liquid and is greater than 10 % by weight of the side stream.