X0202 4 2004-12-09 0 0000031462 ECOLAB INC ECL 0001229313 NEWLIN STEPHEN D ECOLAB INC. ECOLAB CENTER 370 N. WABASHA STREET ST. PAUL MN 55102 0 1 0 0 President - Industrial Sector Common Stock 1000 D Common Stock 141.538 I By Ecolab Savings Plan Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) 34.50 2004-12-09 4 A 0 54100 0.00 A 2005-12-09 2014-12-09 Common Stock 54100 54100 D Number of UNITS in the Ecolab Stock Fund of the Ecolab Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) as of Ocotober 31, 2004. Includes 49.365 UNITS acquired since the reporting person's last report. (The 141.538 UNITS are the equivalent of approximtely 256.558 shares of the issuer's Common Stock.) The option will be exercisable, on a cumulative basis, as to one-third of the option shares (excluding any fractional portion less than one share), on each of the first and second anniversaries of the date of grant and as to the remaining shares on the third anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that if a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the 2002 Ecolab Inc. Stock Incentive Plan) will occur, then the option, if it has been outstanding for at least six months from the date of grant, will become immediately exercisable in full. /s/ David F. Duvick, Attorney-in-Fact for Stephen D. Newlin 2004-12-10