Exhibit (32.1)

Section 1350 Certifications

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, each of the undersigned officers of Ecolab Inc. does hereby certify that:

(a)the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Ecolab Inc. for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b)information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Ecolab Inc.

Dated: October 30, 2012	/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.
	Douglas M. Baker, Jr.
	Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Dated: October 30, 2012	/s/Daniel J. Schmechel
	Daniel J. Schmechel
	Chief Financial Officer