EU mergers and takeovers (Sept 5)

BRUSSELS, Sept 5 (Reuters) - The following are proposed mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures under review by the European Commission, and a brief guide to the EU merger process:

APPROVALS AND WITHDRAWALS:

-- Spanish life insurer Zurich Vida and Spanish non-life insurer Zurich Generales buy Spanish life insurer BanSabadell Vida, Spanish pension products company BanSabadell Pensiones and Spanish non-life insurer BanSabadell Generales (approved Sept. 5)

NEW LISTINGS:

-- French real estate leasing and management company Klepierre (LOIM.PA) and Dutch pension funds company Stichting Pensioenfonds buy Norwegian shopping centres management company Steen & Stroem (notified Aug. 25/deadline Sept. 29/simplified)

-- U.S. global payment card company American Express (AXP.N) and Belgian banking and insurance company Fortis (FOR.BR) buy Belgian payment card company Alpha Card (notified Aug. 29/deadline Oct. 3)

-- U.S. composite polymers company Ashland (ASH.N) buys U.S. specialty chemicals company Hercules HPC.N (notified Sept. 1/deadline Oct. 6)

EXTENSIONS AND OTHER CHANGES:

None

FIRST-STAGE REVIEWS BY DEADLINE:

SEPT 8