Brussels, 06/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Commission authorised the acquisition of the healthcare division belonging to Agilent Technologies Inc by the Dutch electronics group Philips Electronics NV. The range of products belonging to the two companies are mainly complementary and only overlap in the area concerning the manufacturing of ultrasound equipment. During its investigation, the Commission noted that this kind of equipment represents a dynamic and innovative market where the new product developments have repeatedly changed manufacturers' relative market positions. The continuous technological innovations should thus continue to ensure that no company is dominant in this market, there being submitted, even after the merger, to significant competitive pressure, notably from the American General Electric and the German Siemens.