Feb. 8, 2024 — The Italian Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers (ANFAO) has established the Certified Sustainable Eyewear (CSE) program to set a sustainability standard for eyewear production.
The certification was presented at the international trade show Mido, which concluded Feb. 5. According to ANFAO, this is the first product sustainability certification program in the eyewear industry.
Following a preliminary study and pilot test by ANFAO, Studio Fieschi, and Certottica, the voluntary program is now open to all eyewear companies and considers the entire life cycle of the product (resource extraction, raw materials, production, distribution, use, and disposal) in addition to environmental, social, economic, and technological factors. Criteria will be updated on a regular basis to reflect technological advancements and market requirements.
"After almost two years of studies and research, with [ANFAO] and Certottica at the forefront, I want to highlight how important it is to understand and support this project from the onset because it meets one of the biggest challenges we are all facing: sustainability,” says Lorraine Berton, president of ANFAO. “With the CSE certification, we will be able to guide eyewear companies…into the future of sustainability along a path that is oriented toward environmental, social, and economic issues."
ANFAO shares that CSE will make it possible to keep up with international policies on sustainable production, monitor production processes and suppliers, and participate in the push toward more sustainable practices by highlighting products with CSE, a recognition that aims to be acknowledged by the global eyewear industry.
“It is a challenging undertaking for companies and distribution, retail, and optical centers. They must be informed, trained, and aware of the importance of CSE…This is why we presented CSE at Mido,” says Michele Gasparini, ANFAO vice president. “In the near future, we will implement communication activities aimed at promoting knowledge and awareness of the CSE brand."