The European Outdoor Group (EOG) decided at its annual summer meeting earlier this week to appoint a sustainability officer, who is meant to bridge the gap between the outdoor industry and the scientific community. The EOG stressed that alternatives to chemicals such as PFC would have to be developed by the chemical industry. However, the appointment of an expert with a background in chemicals and textile could help to actively support significant changes in the supply chain. The EOG meeting brought together 80 leading industry figures in Friedrichshafen on the eve of the OutDoor fair's opening day. The EOG now has 60 full members and it works together with nine national associations. Newcomers represented at the meeting included Eider, Millet, Sea to Summit, Hanwag, Outdoor Research, Pacsafe, Thule and the Dutch Sporting Goods Federation.