Randstad Holding NV, the world's third-largest staffing firm, said it received clearance from the European Commission for its acquisition of Vedior NV, the fourth-largest firm. The combined company would rank as the second-largest staffing company in the world.

Randstad said the approval marks an important hurdle in its offer for Vedior.

The company launched its offer for shares of fellow Dutch staffing firm Vedior on April 1. Randstad will pay euro9.50 plus 0.32759 in its own shares for each Vedior share; the offer values Vedior shares at euro19.22. The offer is contingent on 66.67% of all Vedior shares being committed. The offer is scheduled to end May 9.