PEM fuel cell and process for its production

The invention relates to a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell and to a process for producing a PEM fuel cell. The fuel cell is assembled by fitting the edges of a fuel cell membrane and terminal plates into one another. A PEM fuel cell includes a membrane and electrodes disposed on both sides of the membrane. Terminal plates adjacent to the electrodes delimit a sealed anode gas space and a sealed cathode gas space. An edge of the membrane and the edges of the terminal plates are shaped such that the edges of the terminal plates can be hooked into the edge of the membrane such that the sealed anode gas space and the sealed cathode gas space is formed between the membrane and a respective one of the terminal plates. A process for producing the PEM fuel cell includes fitting the edges of the membrane and the terminal plates into one another.