The invention provides a method and a device for the production of an alkali metal hypochlorite solution, in particular a sodium hypochlorite solution, having at least one non-divided electrolytic cell (12), means (20, 22, 24, 26) for supplying a brine solution into the electrolytic cell (12) at a defined volumetric flow rate and a defined salt concentration, and having an a.c. voltage source (18) for the production of current across the electrolytic cell (12). The current intensity is adjusted to a fixed value so that the concentration of chlorate produced during electrolysis is limited to a maximum of 1.5 g/l, preferably to 0.6 g/l.