NOVELTY - Membrane electrode arrangement comprises a gas diffusion electrode with a hydrophobic carbon-containing layer and a membrane. The electrode has a buffer layer (2) for controlling gas and water management between a gas diffusion layer, gas distribution layer or substrate and a catalyst layer (3). The gas diffusion layer, gas distribution layer or substrate contains no hydrophobic polymer. The buffer layer and the catalyst layer both contain a hydrophobic polymer. The concentration region of the hydrophobic layer in the buffer layer is 1-14 wt.% and in the catalyst layer is 1-10 wt.%.    USE - Used in hydrogen-operated and/or reformate-operated fuel cells (claimed).    ADVANTAGE - Gas and water management can be easily controlled.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a process for producing a membrane electrode arrangement, comprising,    forming a suspension containing carbon and/or carbon-containing material, a hydrophobic polymer and a liquid;    applying a suspension to form a buffer layer on a gas diffusion layer, gas distribution layer or substrate which contains no hydrophobic polymer, and drying;    heat treating the layers at 300-450. preferably 370-420 degrees C;    forming a suspension or paste to form a catalyst layer containing a hydrophobic polymer, catalytically active material and a liquid; applying the suspension or paste to the buffer layer and drying; and    heat treating the layers at 300-450. preferably 370-420 degrees C.    Preferred Features: The buffer layer contains carbon and/or carbon-containing material and a hydrophobic polymer. The concentration of the hydrophobic polymer decreases to the membrane. A polymer membrane is arranged between two electrodes where the main surface of the membrane is partially or completely covered by the electrodes.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-section through the membrane electrode arrangement.    Carbon paper (1)    Buffer layer (2)    Buffer layer (3)    Polymer electrolyte membrane (4)