The article gives an overview of the XANES technique contribution to the analysis of multi-component catalysts. The theoretical basis of the technique, the interpretation of the energy position and intensity of XANES features, and the numerical methods developed to interpret XANES data on catalytic systems are described and discussed. XANES in the K-edge of copper in the systems. CuO, Cu(NO3)2, La2CuO4, CuCl2, and CuBr have been investigated and transitions have been assigned to the observed structures. The measurements have been used for calculating the first coordination bond distance in the above systems. It is observed that the values so determined agree fairly well with crystallographic values