ANFAO in collaboration with Certottica at the international eyewear show MIDO24 launches CSE “Certified Sustainable Eyewear”

Source: ANFAO Certottica press office

Milan, 5 February 2024 – During MIDO, the world’s most international eyewear show, as part of the Otticlub in-depth events, CSE, “Certified Sustainable Eyewear”, the first product sustainability certification programme for the eyewear sector, was presented.

Conceived, registered and promoted by ANFAO, the National Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers, in collaboration with CERTOTTICA (Italian Institute for the Certification of Optical Products), it is destined to become the new standard for product sustainability in the world of eyewear by certifying the complete pair of glasses and their components: raw materials, fronts, temples, lenses, metal and plastic parts.

After an initial study phase involving the collaboration of ANFAO, Studio Fieschi and CERTOTTICA together with the companies of the Association’s Technical Commission, the programme was tested on 5 companies in the sector of different types and sizes by means of a pilot test, which then allowed the project to get underway.

The certification identifies preferable products from the point of view of sustainability. It is voluntary and based on the UNI EN ISO 14020 and UNI EN ISO 14024 standards, and is addressed to all companies in the sector, both Italian and international, who will apply to join the programme starting today.

The CSE label, which involves certification by an independent third party, CERTOTTICA, will be issued by ANFAO in relation to a set of sector-specific evaluation criteria that take into account all phases of the product life cycle (resource extraction, raw materials, production, distribution, use and disposal). The assessment will examine environmental, social, economic and technological factors, and these criteria will be updated periodically in relation to technological development and market needs.

Today we are presenting a very important project for the world of eyewear to enhance the commitment of our members to improve the environmental performance of the supply chain. After about two years of studies and research in which our Association and CERTOTTICA have been at the forefront, I would like to emphasise the importance of seizing and embracing this initiative right away, because it responds to one of the most important challenges we all face: that of sustainability. – says Lorraine Berton, President of ANFAO – CSE is a certification that will allow us to accompany eyewear companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, into the future of sustainability, towards a path that is more attentive to environmental, social and economic issues.

CSE will make it possible to anticipate European and international policies on product environmental sustainability, monitor production processes and suppliers, and be an active player in the sector’s change of course towards sustainability, enhancing the value of its ‘sustainable’ product through a programme recognised by the entire eyewear sector at global level.

A great deal of work has been done on CSE that represents an important step forward for all companies operating in the eyewear supply chain. – explains Michele Gasparini, ANFAO Vice-President in charge of sustainability and ESG issues – It is a challenging path for companies and it is important that distribution, retail, and optical centres are informed, trained, and aware of the meaning of CSE in order to transfer it to the end consumer, who today is increasingly attentive and receptive to sustainability issues. This is why we wanted to present CSE at MIDO and why we will be launching communication activities in the near future aimed at raising awareness and disseminating the CSE brand.

For more information on CSE, Certified Sustainable Eyewear, please visit the new website:

https://www.cse-eyewear.it/

Translated by Cecilia Flaccavento
Intern at the Chamber of Commerce of Treviso – Belluno|Dolomites