EU clears Johnson & Johnson to buy Vania and Polive

BRUSSELS, Feb 18 (Reuters) - French cosmetic and hygiene group Johnson & Johnson, won permission from the European Commission on Wednesday, to take full control of two French makers of feminine protection products.

Johnson & Johnson, a subsidiary of U.S. Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) already owns 50 percent each of both Vania and Polivé.

The Commission, competition watchdog of the 27-nation European Union, cleared the firm to buy remaining shares of both companies, active in the French cosmetics and female sanitary protection products market.

The Commission said in a statement that the two companies concentrate on different sales channels from Johnson & Johnson and as such, the transaction would not impede competition. (Reporting by Bate Felix)