A novel Co (15 wt.%)/La-modified-CeO2 catalyst was prepared for the oxidation of toluene and ethyl acetate, showing lower light-off temperature (around 20-40 degrees C) than that of a Pt (3 wt.%)/La-CeO2 catalyst under the same experimental conditions. Upon washcoating onto cordierite it was still more active than the noble metal reference. The activity remained stable even after 80 h of reaction. Adherence tests indicated a 98% stability of the washcoat, while SEM-EDS study evidenced its homogeneous distribution on the cordierite. ICP analysis and X-ray diffraction demonstrated that the composition and cobalt phase (Co3O4) of the powdered catalyst were the same in the washcoat. Moreover textural properties improved according to N-2 physisorption studies due to inclusion of colloidal alumina in the slurry.