The European Commission approved under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of sole control of Unilever's Sanex business (Sanex) by Colgate-Palmolive.

The Commission has the power to assess mergers and acquisitions involving companies with a turnover above certain thresholds (Article 1 of the Merger Regulation) since 1989. Its duty is to prevent concentrations that would significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.

Colgate-Palmolive is active internationally in the consumer goods sector and has as its core business oral care, personal care, home care and pet nutrition. Sanex is active in the personal care sector and especially in the markets for bath & shower products, soap and deodorant. The divestment of Sanex is the result of a commitment made by Unilever to be able to acquire Sara Lee Body Care.

The merged entity would continue to face competition from a number of other strong competitors and that customers would still have sufficient alternative suppliers in all markets concerned, according to the Commission's investigation conclusion. The Commission examined the competitive effects of the proposed acquisition in the affected markets for the sale of bath and shower products, soaps and deodorants and it concluded that the transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it.