By a process for the production of 1,2-dichloroethane (EDC) by reaction of ethylene with chlorine in the liquid phase (direct chlorination), the heavy ends being separated from the obtained 1,2-dichloroethane in a heavy-ends column and in a downstream vacuum column and, for the purpose of heat recovery and heating of the column bottoms, a 1,2-dichloroethane part-stream from the direct chlorination passing through a heat exchanger (one attributed to each column) for indirect heat exchange with the bottom product of each column, the aim of the invention is to provide a solution in which the reaction enthalpy of the direct chlorination can be used in a variable manner, thus precluding the above-described disadvantages. This is achieved by using at least one falling-film evaporator for heating the column bottoms, the bottom product of the respective column being routed to the distributor at the head of the column.