Brussels, 28/06/2002 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has authorised Ondeo, a fully-owned subsidiary of the French group Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux, which is active in the water distribution and waste water treatment sector, and Thames Water, the "Water" division of the German company RWE, to create an online electronic exchange for the water industry. Provisionally called the "Water Portal", it will enable companies in water-related industries to reduce their procurement costs, namely by calling in bids from a wide range of suppliers. The Commission is generally in favour of this kind of alliance, as electronic exchanges usually have a positive impact on competition, as they may strengthen the efficiency of supply channels as long as they do not exclude the small market operators, that they do not tie their members exclusively to the platform, and if they are not used to exchange sensitive information. The Commission examined these risks but concluded that there were sufficient guarantees to prevent all danger.