Abstract: This invention provides a process for the regeneration and/or activation of a noble catalyst comprising contacting said catalyst with an atmosphere comprising a fluorohalocarbon and/or a fluorohydrocarbon of the formula, C.sub.n H.sub.m F.sub.p X.sub.q, wherein X is chlorine and/or bromine; n is an integer from 1 to 6; m is an integer from 0 to 6, provided that m can be no more than the total n in the compound; p and q are integers from 1-13 when the compound is acyclic and integers from 1-11 when the compound is cyclic, provided that the fluorohalocarbon and/or fluorohalohydrocarbon always contains at least one chlorine or bromine atom and provided that m+p+q=2n+2 when the compound is acyclic and that m+p+q=2n when the compound is cyclic, at a temperature in excess of 200.degree. C.