* EU Commission says deal won't hurt competition

* Acquisition expected to close early this year

BRUSSELS, Jan 6 - Car parts group Faurecia (EPED.PA) has won a green light from the European Union for its takeover of Emcon Technologies, a U.S. company that makes car exhaust emission controls.

The EU Commission, the body responsible for enforcing laws in the 27-country bloc, said the French company's acquisition of Emcon would not hurt competition.

The takeover of Emcon, which had sales of 2.4 billion euros in 2008, will be paid by issuing 20.9 million new Faurecia shares. The deal is expected to close early this year.

Faurecia, whose controlling shareholder is PSA Peugeot Citroen (PEUP.PA), said it expects the acquisition to free up around 60 million euros a year due to synergies. (Reporting by John O'Donnell; editing by John Wallace)