UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)             February 12, 2007

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code                                 651-293-2233

(Not applicable)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13a-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CRF 240.13e-4(c))

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On February 12, 2007, Ecolab Inc. (“Ecolab”) announced earnings for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2006.  A copy of the News Release issued by Ecolab in connection with this report under Item 2.02 is attached as Exhibit (99) and incorporated by reference herein.  Ecolab also will publish the News Release on its website located at www.ecolab.com.

In the News Release dated February 12, 2007, Ecolab discloses the impact on comparative reported diluted earnings per share of a $0.01 per share charge taken in the fourth quarter of 2005 related to the repatriation of foreign earnings under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.  Ecolab’s management believes that disclosing this information is useful for investors because it facilitates the comparison of current and prior period operating results by eliminating the effect of a non-recurring charge.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)		Exhibits.
		The following exhibit is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 of Form 8-K and should not be deemed to be “filed” under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(99)                                                   Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 12, 2007.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.		Description		Method Of Filing
(99)		Ecolab Inc. News Release dated February 12, 2007.		Filed herewith electronically.

 

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