The European Commission cleared last 28th March, under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of Aearo Company, a US producer of protective equipment, by the US company 3M, a diversified technology company.

The transaction would not significantly impede effective competition in the European Economic Area (EEA) or any substantial part of it. It was analysed the competitive effects of the proposed merger in the area of personal protective devices, in particular hearing protection devices, where the parties have the most overlapping activities in Europe. Hearing protection devices are earplugs or earmuffs which protect the wearer from outside noise. They are used by workers in a number of industries.

3M Compnay is a US-based diversified technology company active in a number of areas, including safety, security and protection services. 3M for products and ideas that solve problems and help make the world smarter, faster healthier and safer. With more than 55,000 products, 40-plus core technologies and leadership in major markets served worldwide, 3M continues to develop ingenious solutions to meet your varying needs.

Aearo Company is a producer of personal protective equipment, such as hearing protection and protective eyewear, and also supplies speciality composites, in particular thermal acoustic systems.