A separator plate (2a, 2b) for an electrochemical system, in particular for a bipolar plate of an electrochemical system, comprising: a first through-opening for leading a coolant through the separator plate (2a, 2b); an active region with structures for leading a reaction medium along a first flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) and structures for leading a coolant along a rear side of the active region on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b); a bead which is formed as one part with the separator plate (2a, 2b), for sealing at least the active region; and barrier elements (18, 18', 18") which are formed as one part with the separator plate (2a, 2b); wherein the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") a. are arranged between the active region and the bead, and/or b. are arranged between a distributing region of the separator plate (2a, 2b) and the bead, wherein the distributing region is configured for leading the coolant from the through-opening to the rear side of the active region or from the rear side of the active region to the through-opening on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b); and wherein the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") are formed in a manner such that they reduce or prevent a flow of reaction medium on the first flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) along the bead and past the active region; characterized in that the bead completely encompasses both the first through-opening and the active region and that at least one of the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") is recessed at least in regions, in particular for reducing or for preventing a coolant flow on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) in the region of this barrier element between the rear side of the active region and an interior of the bead and/or between a rear side of the distributing region and the interior of the bead, wherein at least with regard to one or more of the barrier elements (18, 18', 18"), the recess (23, 23', 23") is designed in a manner such that it reduces by at least by 50 percent a cross section, defined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the separator plate (2a, 2b), of a connection between the rear side of the active region and the interior of the bead on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b), said connection being formed by the barrier element. a first through-opening for leading a coolant through the separator plate (2a, 2b); an active region with structures for leading a reaction medium along a first flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) and structures for leading a coolant along a rear side of the active region on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b); a bead which is formed as one part with the separator plate (2a, 2b), for sealing at least the active region; and barrier elements (18, 18', 18") which are formed as one part with the separator plate (2a, 2b); wherein the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") a. are arranged between the active region and the bead, and/or b. are arranged between a distributing region of the separator plate (2a, 2b) and the bead, wherein the distributing region is configured for leading the coolant from the through-opening to the rear side of the active region or from the rear side of the active region to the through-opening on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b); and a. are arranged between the active region and the bead, and/or b. are arranged between a distributing region of the separator plate (2a, 2b) and the bead, wherein the distributing region is configured for leading the coolant from the through-opening to the rear side of the active region or from the rear side of the active region to the through-opening on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b); and wherein the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") are formed in a manner such that they reduce or prevent a flow of reaction medium on the first flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) along the bead and past the active region; characterized in that the bead completely encompasses both the first through-opening and the active region and that at least one of the barrier elements (18, 18', 18") is recessed at least in regions, in particular for reducing or for preventing a coolant flow on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b) in the region of this barrier element between the rear side of the active region and an interior of the bead and/or between a rear side of the distributing region and the interior of the bead, wherein at least with regard to one or more of the barrier elements (18, 18', 18"), the recess (23, 23', 23") is designed in a manner such that it reduces by at least by 50 percent a cross section, defined perpendicularly to the planar surface plane of the separator plate (2a, 2b), of a connection between the rear side of the active region and the interior of the bead on the second flat side of the separator plate (2a, 2b), said connection being formed by the barrier element.