Welcome
As the new President of the European Outdoor Group (EOG), it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 17th OutDoor Trade Fair. Our industry looks forward to OutDoor as the perfect venue to present our companies, our products and our people.
OutDoor provides the perfect venue to renew and develop relationships, both business and social, and I believe we come away from OutDoor as a stronger and more cohesive industry as a result.

My role this morning is to give you a very short overview of what has been happening in the outdoor sector and what is on the horizon.

The situation last year
Exactly one year ago we were right in the middle of the biggest economic crisis the world has seen for some considerable time. From an outdoor perspective, we stated then that the outdoor industry was like a ‘Lighthouse in a stormy economic sea’ as our sector was still reporting positive growth. Yet at the same time we were cautious in our view of the coming months, stating that much would depend on levels of employment if our sector was to continue to see consumer confidence. So where are we now?

One Year On
Most countries have seen some level of stability return to their economies but we are still suffering from continued troubling economic news. The latest phase of the crisis is focusing on the levels of governmental debt. Across most of Europe we are seeing governments seeking to reduce their spending and lower their levels of national debt. With this comes the fear of cuts in state services and corresponding reductions in employment etc. In spite of this, we have stated before that we believe that outdoor activities are, for many consumers, a deep-seated passion that works as a necessary counter balance to the stresses of modern life, and nothing has changed since last year to make us doubt this. Our consumer study of last year, the growth figures from our companies and last but not least, the latest forecasts of turnover for our sector, all point towards the outdoor industry being in a healthy condition.

As an obvious source of information on the outdoor industry, the EOG is frequently asked to assist main stream newspapers and I would like to share with you a recent request from one of Germany’s largest daily newspapers, who’s Finance Editor is writing an article on the outdoor industry;

“I would like to ask you about the main reasons for the outdoor boom in the last years. I remember when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s, hiking was the last and most boring thing to do for kids. Today my kids want a Wolfskin jacket, Lowa shoes and a coloured backpack and love to walk in the mountains…do you have an explanation for this phenomenon?”

You know, this is a re-assuring question to receive, as it is further anecdotal evidence that outdoor products are capturing the imagination of the public across all age ranges. More importantly, it is evidence that young people are interested in the outdoors and it is young people who represent the future of our industry. We are increasingly seeing societies reacting against the type of passive lifestyles that are leading to young people being overweight and unhealthy. Increasingly we see movement to promote a more active lifestyle for young people and outdoors is probably the finest way to achieve this. I believe this trend augers well for our industry for the future. Let’s be clear, outdoor products are great products and to be associated with outdoor activities is something to encourage – we see increasing evidence that our kids are starting to adopt this.

So, is the industry universally buoyant? Well if you take the figures recently released by NPD, then perhaps not. NPD’s survey of the market states that turnover in 2009 reduced by 1%, but from a specialist outdoor perspective (i.e. the brands that make up the membership of the EOG) we simply do not recognise this number. Many of our members have posted strong growth figures. For example: Jack Wolfksin, Fenix / Fjällräven, The North Face and Mammut Sports Group have all posted double digit growth figures in the last year.

Of course not every company is enjoying such growth, but even allowing for adjustment the EOG estimates that the specialist market grew on average by 2-3% during 2009, which in terms of our definition of ‘specialist’ gives a European outdoor industry turnover of approximately €6 billion. This is of course a lot less than the headline figure of €14.1 billion that NPD state, but please remember that their figure includes lots of areas we don’t include (e.g. ski, hunting, fishing etc and also includes the lower priced areas of the market that our members typically do not supply).

The differences between these figures highlights the difficulties of comparing market research data and more specifically how to define ‘outdoor’ within our industry. To ensure we continue to find solutions to this, the EOG is currently evaluating a new market survey system that we feel will empirically grow our knowledge significantly. We will update you on this at a later stage.

What are the key issues for the industry right now?
There are a number of new topics that the EOG is working on for the future and we believe it is important to have an industry wide approach to these topics.

Sustainability
Growth in any sector brings new challenges and one of the most important is ensuring that what we do has the minimal impact possible on our environment. To achieve this, the EOG set up the Sustainability Working Group in July 2008 and since then the group has been working tirelessly with our US colleagues at the Outdoor Industries Association, to develop an index for outdoor companies to use to evaluate their company’s environmental impact and to develop strategies to reduce this. We are pleased to announce that the Beta testing phase of this index will be launched at the Sustainability Breakfast at 08:30 on Friday the 16th in Room Berlin. In addition to this, the group will be hosting a second breakfast meeting on Saturday the 17th to look at the launch of a new tool for companies to use to keep up to date on environmental regulations.

Social Responsibility
Another aspect of company stewardship that is of key importance to us as an industry is that of Social Responsibility. Our sector is largely made up of small to medium sized enterprises that have typically developed their own social compliance codes over the years. Whilst this has served the industry well and has provided us with a generally good standard of social compliance, we are finding that there are more and more pressure groups intent on gaining publicity by criticising anyone who does not have an internationally recognised social compliance partner. This challenge does not hold any fear for our industry and the EOG is currently discussing sector partnerships with a number of providers such as the Fair Wear Foundation, the BSCI and MADE-BY. We expect to be providing all our members with an EOG endorsed CSR compliance policy in the near future. We believe this will be helpful to our members but will also offer our customers and consumers an assurance of a strong CSR policy across our industry. One thing we can say with certainty is that the outdoor industry is not comparable to fast fashion organisations and that we generally make durable, quality products to a high standard of social compliance.

Economic Pressures
Whilst our sector is buoyant in growth terms, we should also mention some of the other pressures that we see as an industry. During the last 20 plus years we have seen the majority of manufacturing move to Asia. This has generally been a positive trend in that it has brought relatively lower prices to consumers and also enlarged the worldwide economy. However, over the last year or so we have seen a significant movement in costs. This is attributable to a whole host of reasons such as rising raw materials prices, currency exchange fluctuations, labour cost increases and probably quite surprising for some people to hear, shortages in the availability of skilled labour. These are, naturally occurring factors as the world economy moves forward and reacts to changing circumstances and a developing economic environment. Such is the nature of competition within our industry that we believe outdoor brands will do everything they can to ensure that their products remain competitively priced and attractively priced to consumers. However, it may be that the days of relative cost reductions from Asia are over and that we all have to prepare for rising costs as we enter the next decade.

Conservation
Once again we are delighted to say that the industry’s conservation group, the EOG Association for Conservation, has gone from strength to strength. Boasting over 60 members the Association is tireless in raising money in order to support conservation projects. So if you would like to get yourself some outdoor gear at special prices and by doing so contribute to the work of the Association, then visit their booth in the East Foyer.

Summary

• The outdoor industry is in good health and has so far, weathered the economic storm.
• We still predict some turbulent times with economic pressures and austerity measures still capable of impacting what we do.
• Outdoor products are universally appealing and probably more widely accepted now than at any time previously.
• We need to build on this and reach out to ensure that access to the great outdoors is there for everyone, from young to old.
• We are building on a strong foundation to ensure that our sector has the right policies on the environment, sustainability and social compliance.
• Finally, we are all fortunate to be working in a wonderful industry. It is full of people with a real and driving passion for what they do and who are determined to deliver ever better products to our customers and consumers.

Above all, this is our life and I believe we all continue to have great fun doing what we do!

Welcome
As the new President of the European Outdoor Group (EOG), it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 17th OutDoor Trade Fair. Our industry looks forward to OutDoor as the perfect venue to present our companies, our products and our people.

OutDoor provides the perfect venue to renew and develop relationships, both business and social, and I believe we come away from OutDoor as a stronger and more cohesive industry as a result.

My role this morning is to give you a very short overview of what has been happening in the outdoor sector and what is on the horizon.

The situation last year
Exactly one year ago we were right in the middle of the biggest economic crisis the world has seen for some considerable time. From an outdoor perspective, we stated then that the outdoor industry was like a ‘Lighthouse in a stormy economic sea’ as our sector was still reporting positive growth. Yet at the same time we were cautious in our view of the coming months, stating that much would depend on levels of employment if our sector was to continue to see consumer confidence. So where are we now?

One Year On
Most countries have seen some level of stability return to their economies but we are still suffering from continued troubling economic news. The latest phase of the crisis is focusing on the levels of governmental debt. Across most of Europe we are seeing governments seeking to reduce their spending and lower their levels of national debt. With this comes the fear of cuts in state services and corresponding reductions in employment etc. In spite of this, we have stated before that we believe that outdoor activities are, for many consumers, a deep-seated passion that works as a necessary counter balance to the stresses of modern life, and nothing has changed since last year to make us doubt this. Our consumer study of last year, the growth figures from our companies and last but not least, the latest forecasts of turnover for our sector, all point towards the outdoor industry being in a healthy condition.

As an obvious source of information on the outdoor industry, the EOG is frequently asked to assist main stream newspapers and I would like to share with you a recent request from one of Germany’s largest daily newspapers, who’s Finance Editor is writing an article on the outdoor industry;

“I would like to ask you about the main reasons for the outdoor boom in the last years. I remember when I was a kid in the 70s and 80s, hiking was the last and most boring thing to do for kids. Today my kids want a Wolfskin jacket, Lowa shoes and a coloured backpack and love to walk in the mountains…do you have an explanation for this phenomenon?”

You know, this is a re-assuring question to receive, as it is further anecdotal evidence that outdoor products are capturing the imagination of the public across all age ranges. More importantly, it is evidence that young people are interested in the outdoors and it is young people who represent the future of our industry. We are increasingly seeing societies reacting against the type of passive lifestyles that are leading to young people being overweight and unhealthy. Increasingly we see movement to promote a more active lifestyle for young people and outdoors is probably the finest way to achieve this. I believe this trend augers well for our industry for the future. Let’s be clear, outdoor products are great products and to be associated with outdoor activities is something to encourage – we see increasing evidence that our kids are starting to adopt this.

So, is the industry universally buoyant? Well if you take the figures recently released by NPD, then perhaps not. NPD’s survey of the market states that turnover in 2009 reduced by 1%, but from a specialist outdoor perspective (i.e. the brands that make up the membership of the EOG) we simply do not recognise this number. Many of our members have posted strong growth figures. For example: Jack Wolfksin, Fenix / Fjällräven, The North Face and Mammut Sports Group have all posted double digit growth figures in the last year.

Of course not every company is enjoying such growth, but even allowing for adjustment the EOG estimates that the specialist market grew on average by 2-3% during 2009, which in terms of our definition of ‘specialist’ gives a European outdoor industry turnover of approximately €6 billion. This is of course a lot less than the headline figure of €14.1 billion that NPD state, but please remember that their figure includes lots of areas we don’t include (e.g. ski, hunting, fishing etc and also includes the lower priced areas of the market that our members typically do not supply).

The differences between these figures highlights the difficulties of comparing market research data and more specifically how to define ‘outdoor’ within our industry. To ensure we continue to find solutions to this, the EOG is currently evaluating a new market survey system that we feel will empirically grow our knowledge significantly. We will update you on this at a later stage.

What are the key issues for the industry right now?
There are a number of new topics that the EOG is working on for the future and we believe it is important to have an industry wide approach to these topics.

Sustainability
Growth in any sector brings new challenges and one of the most important is ensuring that what we do has the minimal impact possible on our environment. To achieve this, the EOG set up the Sustainability Working Group in July 2008 and since then the group has been working tirelessly with our US colleagues at the Outdoor Industries Association, to develop an index for outdoor companies to use to evaluate their company’s environmental impact and to develop strategies to reduce this. We are pleased to announce that the Beta testing phase of this index will be launched at the Sustainability Breakfast at 08:30 on Friday the 16th in Room Berlin. In addition to this, the group will be hosting a second breakfast meeting on Saturday the 17th to look at the launch of a new tool for companies to use to keep up to date on environmental regulations.

Social Responsibility
Another aspect of company stewardship that is of key importance to us as an industry is that of Social Responsibility. Our sector is largely made up of small to medium sized enterprises that have typically developed their own social compliance codes over the years. Whilst this has served the industry well and has provided us with a generally good standard of social compliance, we are finding that there are more and more pressure groups intent on gaining publicity by criticising anyone who does not have an internationally recognised social compliance partner. This challenge does not hold any fear for our industry and the EOG is currently discussing sector partnerships with a number of providers such as the Fair Wear Foundation, the BSCI and MADE-BY. We expect to be providing all our members with an EOG endorsed CSR compliance policy in the near future. We believe this will be helpful to our members but will also offer our customers and consumers an assurance of a strong CSR policy across our industry. One thing we can say with certainty is that the outdoor industry is not comparable to fast fashion organisations and that we generally make durable, quality products to a high standard of social compliance.

Economic Pressures
Whilst our sector is buoyant in growth terms, we should also mention some of the other pressures that we see as an industry. During the last 20 plus years we have seen the majority of manufacturing move to Asia. This has generally been a positive trend in that it has brought relatively lower prices to consumers and also enlarged the worldwide economy. However, over the last year or so we have seen a significant movement in costs. This is attributable to a whole host of reasons such as rising raw materials prices, currency exchange fluctuations, labour cost increases and probably quite surprising for some people to hear, shortages in the availability of skilled labour. These are, naturally occurring factors as the world economy moves forward and reacts to changing circumstances and a developing economic environment. Such is the nature of competition within our industry that we believe outdoor brands will do everything they can to ensure that their products remain competitively priced and attractively priced to consumers. However, it may be that the days of relative cost reductions from Asia are over and that we all have to prepare for rising costs as we enter the next decade.

Conservation
Once again we are delighted to say that the industry’s conservation group, the EOG Association for Conservation, has gone from strength to strength. Boasting over 60 members the Association is tireless in raising money in order to support conservation projects. So if you would like to get yourself some outdoor gear at special prices and by doing so contribute to the work of the Association, then visit their booth in the East Foyer.

Summary

• The outdoor industry is in good health and has so far, weathered the economic storm.
• We still predict some turbulent times with economic pressures and austerity measures still capable of impacting what we do.
• Outdoor products are universally appealing and probably more widely accepted now than at any time previously.
• We need to build on this and reach out to ensure that access to the great outdoors is there for everyone, from young to old.
• We are building on a strong foundation to ensure that our sector has the right policies on the environment, sustainability and social compliance.
• Finally, we are all fortunate to be working in a wonderful industry. It is full of people with a real and driving passion for what they do and who are determined to deliver ever better products to our customers and consumers.

Above all, this is our life and I believe we all continue to have great fun doing what we do!

Notes to Editors:
The European Outdoor Group is an association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry.
Founded in 2003 the European Outdoor Group has 55 members, which include some of the largest brands in the world. The combined strength of the member brands, and a close cooperation with national outdoor associations, provides an extremely powerful force to represent the whole European outdoor industry in a constructive and positive manner.

Further information about the European Outdoor Group can be found on the website:
www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com
Or contact Vanessa Knowles, Tel: +44 1942 886402
vanessa.knowles@europeanoutdoorgroup.com

The European Outdoor Group’s Sustainability Working Group (SWG) is inviting all attendees at OutDoor to join them for breakfast, on two days, with the aim of working together in providing a common industry sustainability solution.

Continuing the breakfast workshop series, started at last year’s OutDoor, the SWG brings you ‘How sustainable is your business’, including the launch of the Beta Test phase of the Eco Index on Friday morning and on Saturday addresses Standards and Regulations with ‘Making regulatory compliance easier for you’. This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to update themselves; from 08.30am, Friday’s SWG breakfast will give an overview of work carried out so far in Europe and collaboratively on the US driven Eco Index. The Breakfast will be the platform to launch the Beta Test Phase and ask for your help in testing the system; the SWG will also give an overview of the work currently being carried out by the Standards and Regulations Committee and the End of Life Committee as they both strive to bring workable solutions to the industry; from 09.30am we will take a more in-depth look at the Eco Index providing you with the tools to be able to start working with it now.

Saturday’s SWG workshop will bring you a new tool for checking which standards and regulations you need to meet and which you have a choice about. The SWG has recently undertaken a Hot Spot survey to identify where the industry struggles and where best the Group can help, the results of this survey will be addressed during the meeting. The Workshop will also have Sylvain Chevassus, Project Manager for the Office of consumption and production managers, Commissioner General Sustainable Development, Department of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea from the French Government who will talk about the new legislation regarding carbon footprint labelling that will be launched in 2011. Again this workshop will be split, with the first hour from 08.30am giving you the overview and the presentation of the French legislation, then followed at 09.30am with a more in-depth workshop.

Two breakfasts and two very topical areas, both will take place in Room Berlin on the first floor in the East Entrance at Messe Friedrichshafen.

Friday 16th July 08.30am ‘How sustainable is your business’ – an overview of the Eco Index, followed at 09.30am by an in-depth how to use the Eco-Index workshop.

Saturday 17th July 08.30am ‘Making regulatory compliance easier for you’ – a new standards and regulations tool and a briefing on the French carbon footprinting legislation, followed at 09.30am by an in-depth workshop.

The Workshop’s offer companies of all sizes the opportunity to get involved, they are FREE for anyone attending OutDoor. All we ask is that you register to attend.

To register simply email your name and company to

For Friday to vanessa.knowles@europeanoutdoorgroup.com

For Saturday to tim.hudson1@btconnect.com

The work of the SWG is NOT exclusive to members of the European Outdoor Group; it is operating on an open source basis and welcomes involvement from all areas of the supply chain.

Zug, Switzerland – The European Outdoor Group’s Sustainability Working Group (SWG) is inviting all attendees at OutDoor to join them for breakfast, on two days, with the aim of working together in providing a common industry sustainability solution.

Continuing the breakfast workshop series, started at last year’s OutDoor, the SWG brings you ‘How sustainable is your business’, including the launch of the Beta Test phase of the Eco Index on Friday morning and on Saturday addresses Standards and Regulations with ‘Making regulatory compliance easier for you’. This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to update themselves; from 08.30am, Friday’s SWG breakfast will give an overview of work carried out so far in Europe and collaboratively on the US driven Eco Index. The Breakfast will be the platform to launch the Beta Test Phase and ask for your help in testing the system; the SWG will also give an overview of the work currently being carried out by the Standards and Regulations Committee and the End of Life Committee as they both strive to bring workable solutions to the industry; from 09.30am we will take a more in-depth look at the Eco Index providing you with the tools to be able to start working with it now.

Saturday’s SWG workshop will bring you a new tool for checking which standards and regulations you need to meet and which you have a choice about. The SWG has recently undertaken a Hot Spot survey to identify where the industry struggles and where best the Group can help, the results of this survey will be addressed during the meeting. The Workshop will also have Sylvain Chevassus, Project Manager for the Office of consumption and production managers, Commissioner General Sustainable Development, Department of Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and the Sea from the French Government who will talk about the new legislation regarding carbon footprint labelling that will be launched in 2011. Again this workshop will be split, with the first hour from 08.30am giving you the overview and the presentation of the French legislation, then followed at 09.30am with a more in-depth workshop.

Two breakfasts and two very topical areas, both will take place in Room Berlin on the first floor in the East Entrance at Messe Friedrichshafen.

Friday 16th July 08.30am ‘How sustainable is your business’ – an overview of the Eco Index, followed at 09.30am by an in-depth how to use the Eco-Index workshop.

Saturday 17th July 08.30am ‘Making regulatory compliance easier for you’ – a new standards and regulations tool and a briefing on the French carbon footprinting legislation, followed at 09.30am by an in-depth workshop.

The Workshop’s offer companies of all sizes the opportunity to get involved, they are FREE for anyone attending OutDoor. All we ask is that you register to attend.

To register simply email your name and company to

For Friday to vanessa.knowles@europeanoutdoorgroup.com

For Saturday to tim.hudson1@btconnect.com

The work of the SWG is NOT exclusive to members of the European Outdoor Group; it is operating on an open source basis and welcomes involvement from all areas of the supply chain.

Notes to Editors:
The European Outdoor Group is an association set up to represent the common interests of the European outdoor industry.
Founded in 2003 the European Outdoor Group has 55 members, which include some of the largest brands in the world. The combined strength of the member brands, and a close cooperation with national outdoor associations, provides an extremely powerful force to represent the whole European outdoor industry in a constructive and positive manner.

Further information about the European Outdoor Group can be found on the website:
www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com
Or contact Vanessa Knowles, T: +44 1942 886402, E:vanessa.knowles@europeanoutdoorgroup.com

The Sustainability Working Group (SWG) was established at an open meeting at the OutDoor fair in Friedrichshafen, Germany in 2008. The Steering Group of the SWG includes representatives from Vaude, Mammut, W L Gore, Salomon, Haglöfs, The North Face, Deuter, Petzl, SportScheck and the European Outdoor Group.

Further information about the Sustainability Working Group can be found on the website:
www.europeanoutdoorsustainability.org
Or contact Vanessa Knowles, T: +44 1942 886402, E:vanessa.knowles@europeanoutdoorgroup.com

With the move to Asian sourcing that we have seen over the last three decades, the simple fact is that the real cost of outdoor products to the consumer has never, ever been lower. Perhaps what we are seeing now is the end of this and a move towards increasing prices over the coming years? One thing is certain though, and that is for outdoor brands to invest in new development, sustainability and marketing, they need to maintain, and even increase margins.

This year’s key theme Business Driver “Fundamental Needs” shows how the industry can benefit even more effectively from the outdoor boom and presents research into the motivations for outdoor activities.

Early Start for OutDoor conferences
The conference programme has gained significant importance at OutDoor 2010. Visitors will now have the opportunity to start their day at the trade fair with a stimulating programme of presentations from 8.30am, before the trade show opens. As we’re asking you to get up so early Breakfast will be served and we hope that you’ll feel you’re getting even more out of your visit to the show. All presentations will take place in the new East Conference Centre and be held in English or simultaneously translated, as required. The program topics include; social media relations; bluesign; standards and regulations; the launch of the new Eco Index by the European Outdoor Group’s Sustainability Working Group; hiking – a market with a bright future; outdoor and the women’s market; presentation of the EOG Association for Conservation’s funded projects; IDEAS order info on outdoor clothing trends; the challenge of climate change; and the transition from a traditional to a high-tech outdoor world.

OutDoor 2010 features new hall organisation
A few changes will be very noticeable at this year’s show, the OutDoor Tent City will be move into Rothaus Hall A1, which has 10,000 square meters of light-filled exhibition space. International major brands will be presenting new products in the two new exhibition halls, A7 and B5. This provides more area for booth space, yet strengthens OutDoor’s reputation as the leading trade fair with short and convenient walking distances. This year’s event will cover a total of 85,000 square metres of exhibition space.

OutDoor Industry Awards 2010
The OutDoor Industry Awards providing a showcase for new ideas will be announced during an awards ceremony at 17.30 on 15 July at the fashion stage in Hall A2. The OutDoor Celebrity of the Year will be announced at the same time, recognising an outstanding individual’s special achievements in the outdoor industry.

OutDoor Party
This year the open-air grounds will once again become a party zone with live music. The Limited Edition T-Shirt is available for EUR€15 Euro in the Foyer East. Ensuring that resources are treated respectfully (and to avoid beer being spilt all over the place) Messe Friedrichshafen, together with the party sponsor Polartec and the European Outdoor Group (EOG), have decided on a new party concept: the ticket for the OutDoor Party will include the Polartec party shirt, free food and four vouchers for drinks – alcoholic or soft drinks. Additional vouchers will be available to get more soft drinks at EUR€1, (or alcoholic drinks at EUR€2) . “The OutDoor Party has become an absolute must attend event. It‘s popularity is mainly due to the great community feeling and a fantastic backdrop in Friedrichshafen as well as an unbelievable atmosphere,” said EOG Secretary General Mark Held. “The changes made are there to ensure that the basic idea of the party remains intact and that the party will continue to be a “must” for years to come.”

Enhanced infrastructure
A lot of progress has been made in the last couple of years with regards to the exhibition infrastructure. The newly built northern exhibition grounds access road was opened for traffic in December 2009. This allows for smoother arrivals and departures for all guests coming from the direction of Ulm and Ravensburg, with direct access to the new eastern parking areas 1 and 2 and the new East Entrance. By July the trade fair road to and from Friedrichshafen city centre will also be expanded to four lanes.

The conference will start with a dinner sponsored by ispo; the Forum will consist of two days of seminars from leading speakers from across Europe. Representing industry, as well as academic scholars and researchers, the speakers will present and discuss topics that are key to the future of the outdoor business. Sponsors of the lunches include SGI Compass and Performance Day.

Topics that will be covered include; future trends in outdoor activities and the outdoor environment; how to combine Corporate Social Responsibility with brand building in outdoors sports; collaborative innovation, a new way of thinking and how to survive and grow outdoors after the economic crisis.

Taking place 11-13 October in Annecy, France, the conference will be situated in a wonderful natural environment that is the the playground for many outdoor activities and the home to a large number of outdoor organisations.

More information will be available shortly on the website.

As background, the Commission’s draft proposal aims at simplifying and improving the existing regulatory framework for the development and uptake of novel fibres, with a view to encourage innovation in the textile and clothing sector and to allow fibre users and consumers to benefit. The original proposal was broadly welcomed however there have been a number of amendments proposed at IMCO that would significantly expand the labelling responsibilities of brands and together with the Federation of European Sporting Goods Industries (FESI) we voiced our concerns.

Members of the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee considered the amendments tabled to the draft report of Toine Manders of the Netherlands on the 8th of April, but it now seems as if there is major disagreement between the European Parliament, the European Council and the Rapporteur, Toine Manders MEP.

The current presidency lies with Spain, but it now looks as if they will pass the matter over to the incoming presidency of Belgium which starts on the 1st July.

We will keep you updated!

According to the recent Financial Stability Review by the European Central Bank (ECB) many euro area large and complex banking groups returned to modest profitability in 2009, and their financial performances have continued to strengthen in the first quarter of 2010. These developments, which also include backup funds well above pre-crisis levels, suggest that most of these institutions have made important progress on the road to financial recovery.

The measures taken by the ECB to stabilise markets and restore their functioning as well as the establishment of the European Financial Stabilisation Mechanism should mean lower risks. However, sizeable fiscal imbalances remain, and the responsibility rests on governments to help ensure consolidation enabling the sustainability of public finances, while establishing conditions conducive to durable economic growth. ]]> http://www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/outdoor-news/the-euro-zone/feed 0 http://www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/outdoor-news/waste-disposal http://www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/outdoor-news/waste-disposal#comments Mon, 07 Jun 2010 08:15:34 +0000 admin http://www.europeanoutdoorgroup.com/?p=361 The user and end-of-life phases deserve increased attention in the textile and apparel sectors, especially in light of their environmental…

The user and end-of-life phases deserve increased attention in the textile and apparel sectors, especially in light of their environmental impact. The knowledge we have on how the consumer deals with these phases are limited. A three year project – Textile Waste as a Resource – was launched in Norway last year taking a rather “back-ward” approach in the life cycle assessment (LCA).

The research project, which is headed by SIFO – the Norwegian Institute for Consumer Research in cooperation with among others NICE Fashion (Nordic Initiative Clean and Ethical) – will among other studies follow the consumption patterns of 16 selected families in relation to apparel. These families have for six months collected the clothing that they plan to dispose of and Ph D Research Fellow Kirsi Laitala is embarking on her second round of in-depth interviews, where the goal is to find out what exactly triggers this process. This will be done through looking at diaries kept by the families, face-to-face questioning and technical analysis of the discarded textiles in SIFO’s laboratory. In an effort to involve more consumers, SIFO has also posted a questionnaire on the Internet, where they encourage the general public to answer questions about clothing – and care-habits.

Technical research has also been initiated in the area of reducing water, chemicals and energy-consumption in wash and care. The preliminary results are promising, especially in reducing the washing-temperatures, but also when looking at cleanliness in comparison with how full machines are loaded with laundry.

One of the main questions being posed is ‘How may a reverse life cycle approach to ecological design increase our understanding of the potentials and barriers for change?’ With the working-title “From textile waste to material resources in a grave to cradle perspective” the project aims to use a multidisciplinary approach looking at how waste reduction can contribute to reducing the material flow and turning waste into material resources. This is a project that aims to reverse the classical LCA and start with what we generally see as the end result.

Another important question posed by the research project will be what the role of political authorities will be in overcoming barriers for change and how are they able to stimulate the reduction of the material flow. In Norway it is now forbidden to dispose of textile products on land-fills. The current “solution” is to burn all organic waste – including textiles – in order to produce energy. If this is a good solution for the end-of-life phase remains open to discussion, but coming up with alternatives involves many issues – from proper and relevant labelling of content and chemical treatments to how one can make clothes more durable.
Dissemination of findings and up-dates on progress of the research project can be found on the website.

]]>