X0306 4 2012-12-05 0 0000031462 ECOLAB INC ECL 0001428102 Meyer Michael L ECOLAB INC. 370 WABASHA STREET N SAINT PAUL MN 55102 0 1 0 0 Executive VP - Human Resources Common Stock 2012-12-06 4 M 0 36700 35.63 A 40264 D Common Stock 2012-12-06 4 F 0 25000 71.775 D 15264 D Common Stock 71.977 I By Ecolab Savings Plan Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) 71.54 2012-12-05 4 A 0 17900 0.00 A 2013-12-05 2022-12-05 Common Stock 17900 17900 D Employee Stock Option (Right to Buy) 35.63 2012-12-06 4 M 0 36700 0.00 D 2009-12-03 2018-12-03 Common Stock 36700 0 D Reflects the reporting person's payment of the exercise price and witholding taxes for a stock option issued in accordance with Rule 16b-3 by delivering or withholding shares of Ecolab common stock. Number of UNITS in the Ecolab Stock Fund of the Ecolab Savings Plan (401(k) Plan) as of November 30, 2012. (The 71.977 UNITS are the equivalent of approximtely 134 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. Option granted under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The option became 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. /s/David F. Duvick, as Attorney-in-Fact for Michael L. Meyer 2012-12-07