Research > Australian Eyewear Market Snapshot > Part 1
Education - New Mandatory Sunglass Standard
New Mandatory Sunglass Standard to Apply 1 July 2019
Education - New Mandatory Sunglass Standard
AuStrAliAn EyEwEAr MArkEt SnApShot
By Finola Carey (Executive Director, ODMA)
(1) VALUE OF MARKET = $1.2 BILLION
1. Market Value
P
Total Value (Millions)
1000
Completeublished prescription spectacles are by far the 800 and in 2017, the Consumer Goods (Sunglasses largest segment of the optical retailing industry, Fashion Spectacles) Safety Standard 2017 sets out the 600 with a value for the 2007/8 financial year of mandatory requirements for sunglasses and fashion approximately $864.4 million.
$807m
$396m
400 spectacles. The mandatory standard is based on sections In addition, sales of $320.4 million were of the voluntary Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 200 achieved for lenses (without frames) probably 1067.1:2016 and faceand protection - sunglasses and fashion mostly re-using Eye an old frame $19.2 million 0 spectacles (available from SAI Global) . A transitional period allows Total Lenses for frames (without lenses) – total market value compliance with the previous or current legislation until the 30th $1.2 billion [refer Graph 1]. June 2019.
Total Frames
Total Value (Millions)
to comply with the requirements from either the new Consumer The average price paid per pair as advised by Goods (Sunglasses andcomplete Fashionspectacles, Spectacles) Safety Standard 2017 $339.13 800 consumers is $339.13 for or the for oldlenses Consumer Protection Notice No.13 of 2003 700 legislation. $195.92 (without a frame) and $117.08 600 for a frame (without [refer Graph 2]. However, from thelenses) 1st July 2019 suppliers must only comply with 500 the new requirements.
350 300 250 $195.92
400 300 LENS Volume Average Value 200 TYPES (millions) Price 100 Frequently asked questions regarding the transition: 0 Single Vision 2,534 $372,616,523 $147.00
FAQs
200 150
$117.08
100
Average Prices (per pair)
Therefore the $1.203 billion of total sales comprise $807 million for lenses and $396 This means that until the 30th June 2019, suppliers have the option million for frames. (2) LENSES & FRAMES
The mandatory standard 50 for sunglasses and fashion spectacles applies to the following products: 0 Spectacles Frames • Lenses non-prescription sunglasses mounted in a spectacle frame – complete only only Q. Can distributors/retailers sunglasses complying $692m • $258m rimless sunshields and one-piece visors $19m Bifocals 0.565 $84,468,435still sell $149.50 with the previous requirements until June 30th, 2019? • clip-on and slip-on type sunglasses Multi-focals 1.085 $350,710,544 $323.00 • children’s sunglasses • fashion spectacles and light tint sunglasses. TotalA. YES 4,185 $807,795,502 $192.99
Res
AuStrAliAn EyE
Classifications
Sunglasses and fashion spectacles are classified into five categories by their performance suitability for use in certain conditions as follows: •
Lens category 0: Fashion spectacles - These are not sunglasses, as they have a very low ability to reduce sun glare. They provide limited or no UV protection.
•
Lens category 1: Fashion spectacles - Like category 0 lenses, these are not sunglasses; however, they do provide limited sun glare reduction and some UV protection. Fashion spectacles with category 1 lenses are not suitable for driving at night.
•
Lens category 2: Sunglasses - These sunglasses provide a medium level of sun glare reduction and good UV protection.
•
Lens category 3: Sunglasses - These sunglasses provide a high level of sun glare reduction and good UV protection.
•
Lens category 4: Sunglasses - These are special purpose sunglasses that provide a very high level of sun glare reduction and good UV protection. Lens category 4 sunglasses must not be used when driving at any time.
By Finola Carey (Executive D “The mandatory standard specifies marking and labelling requirements as well as testing procedures 1. Market Value to ensure sunglasses and Complete prescription spect fashion spectacles meet specific largest segment of the optic performance, construction and with a value for the 2007/8 fi labelling requirements.approximately ” $864.4 million
In addition, sales of $320.4 m achieved for lenses (without mostly re-using an old frame for frames (without lenses) – $1.2 billion [refer Graph 1].
Therefore the $1.203 billion o comprise $807 million for len million for frames.
The average price paid per p consumers is $339.13 for com $195.92 for lenses (without a for a frame (without lenses) [
LENS TYPES
Volume (millions)
Single Vision
2,534
$3
Bifocals
0.565
$8
Multi-focals
1.085
$3
Total
4,185
$8
(3) NUMBER OF SPECTACLES USED
Q. From July 1st, 2019, could distributors/ retailers sell
However, the mandatory standard does not apply to:
The type of lens used is heavily dependent on More than one pair One pair only sunglasses previous requirements? • prescription and readymade spectacles the requirements of thecomplying user. 24.1%with of people 80 • safety glasses and safety goggles intended to provide protection using prescription eyewear require assistance 70 63%radiation other than from the sun 60% for distance only, 32% for reading and 43.9% for A. NO 56% against optical 60 both. • eyewear for protection against radiation in solaria
The type of lens used is heav the requirements of the user Marking and labelling using prescription eyewear r for distance only, 32% for rea It is important that the marking or labelling is unobscured by other both. information eg price labels. All assembled sunglasses must be
Q. From July 1st, 2019, do they need to be recalled40from the retailer? 30 2. Consumer Statistics 20
labelled with: • the identity of the manufacturer or supplier 2. Consumer Statistics • the lens category number 37% of those using prescript • lens, category description, and usage information only one AND pair. The • if applicable, the symbol ‘NOT SUITABLE FOR DRIVING vast major purchases are made in respo ROAD USE’ prescription [refer Graph 3]. • category symbols are optional, if used they must comply with Table 5 AS/NZS 1067.1:2016.
50
39.6% •
•
43.7%
eye protectors for36.8% sport glasses for use as toys and clearly and legibly labelled as toys.
10 37% of prescription spectacles useproducts which A. those YES,using retailers are obliged to remove Key requirements of the Mandatory Standard 0 only one pair. The vast majority of spectacle don’t comply with the new standard (including marking Following is an overview of the safety standards requirements, 2003 2005 2007 purchases are labelling) made in response a new and from the to market. this is intended as a guide only and the legislation should be prescription [refer Graph 3].
Q. After June 30th, 2019, can I supply goods to the marketplace that references the old standard? A.
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NO. Not only can you not distribute goods post-June 2019 with the old standard on the label, all goods in retail need to meet the new safety standard, including being relabelled with the new standard. Noting also that the wording has changed in the category descriptions. Noting also that the wording has changed in the category descriptions, so a little label to replace the year will not be sufficient.
consulted for detailed information. The safety standard includes requirements for:
Ultraviolet radiation
The mandatory standard requires that sunglasses must protect www.odma.com.au users from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from 280 and 400 nanometres.
Testing
The mandatory standard specifies marking and labelling requirements as well as testing procedures to ensure sunglasses and fashion spectacles meet specific performance, construction and labelling requirements. Suppliers need to arrange this testing through specialist laboratories.
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“The mandatory standard is based on sections of the voluntary Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1067.1:2016 Eye and face protection - sunglasses and fashion spectacles (available from SAI Global).”
Thanks to Annette Hoskin, Standardisation Expert, Essilor for assistance with this item. Disclaimer This article is not legal or business advice. ODMA Eyetalk has extracted and reproduced sections of information from https://www.productsafety.gov.au/standards/sunglassesfashion-spectacles and added content and believe that the information provided is accurate and reliable. However, no warranty of accuracy or reliability as to such information is given and no responsibility for loss arising from or in connection with omissions or errors in any of the information provided (including any responsibility to any person by reason of negligence) is accepted by ODMA or by their agents or employees who may give or provide any presentation of this article in written or oral form.
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