Method for controling a NOx storage catalyst

Process for controlling a nitrogen oxides storage catalyst in an internal combustion engine comprises evaluating the actual catalyst behavior with respect to oxygen storage of the oxygen-containing component in the catalyst coating at the start of the regeneration of the storage catalyst, and/or regenerating the nitrogen oxides storage catalyst. Process for controlling a nitrogen oxides storage catalyst in an internal combustion engine comprises evaluating the actual catalyst behavior with respect to oxygen storage of the oxygen-containing component in the catalyst coating at the start of the regeneration of the storage catalyst, and/or regenerating the nitrogen oxides storage catalyst when a prescribed threshold value for the saturation state of the catalyst is reached or increasing the regeneration when the prescribed threshold value for the saturation state of the catalyst is reached neglecting introduction of a reducing agent.