EC suspends ruling deadline

The European Commission has suspended the deadline for ruling on General Electric Co's proposed acquisition of Agfa-Gevaert NV's non-destructive testing operations.

The decision was due on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the EU said it has asked that the companies provide further information on certain markets.

The deal was not initially the subject of a notification, but of a joint referral by seven EU countries.

The commission has exclusive competence over deals above a certain turnover threshold.

This one did not meet that threshold, and was instead notified to the seven countries - Germany, Austria, Greece, Ireland, Spain, Portugal and Italy.