Empowering the Profession

16 October 2024

OSA Members Meeting

Friends Meeting House, London
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6 December 2024

OSA AGM and Christmas Lunch

The Bloomsbury Hotel, London
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Better Together

OSA is the Optical Suppliers Association, previously known as the FMO (Federation of Manufacturing Opticians) which was founded in 1917.

We continue to offer a platform for UK optical manufacturers and suppliers to communicate, educate and innovate whilst supporting and protecting their interests.

Providing a thriving network for companies engaged in all aspects of manufacturing, distribution and supply of spectacle and contact lenses, frames, ophthalmic instruments, equipment, and E-Health, as well as offering business services to optical practices.

Your Benefits as a member

Member Benefits

Management and Leadership Course – This Level 5 course is offered at a discounted rate and provides a diploma from the Chartered Management Institute.

Please contact mmacritchie@osa-uk.co.uk for details.

Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme

Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme

Health Assured’s Employee Assistance Programme is designed to relieve personal and professional problems with online counselling, legal advice, bereavement support, medical guidance, and cognitive behavioural therapy.

Rewards

Rewards

In conjunction with ABDO, OSA can offer a variety of services at a reduced rate.

OSA members will be able to access the online version of Dispensing Optics every month.

100% Optical

100% Optical

(1st – 3rd March 2025) OSA members can use the meeting rooms on the OSA stand for FREE (subject to availability). Our members can also use our stand for presentations or lectures. We are in constant dialogue with Media 10 to ensure that OSA members can get the best out of the exhibition, and we look forward to seeing you and supporting you there.

Reach UK Opticians reading Opchat News

Reach UK Opticians reading Opchat News

All OSA member companies can make significant savings in marketing their products & services to over 8000, mainly independent practitioners who read Opchat News every week. OSA members get a 50% discount on every entry into the Optical Suppliers directory (just £12/yr.) and further discounts on e-blasts to over 5000 opticians. Become a Opchat Banner sponsor or Headline sponsor for greater discounts. full details here Take a look on www.opchatnews.com to see how you might benefit from sponsorship and keep up to date with Independent Optical and Hearing News

direct representation at MHRA

direct representation at MHRA

Influencing the future, we are at the forefront of the latest UK Healthcare regulatory process to provide excellent competitive advantage.

cpd provider

CPD Provider

Members will be able to acquire their CPD points through the OSA. We are also currently working on building an educational platform and portfolio from which our members can work content into various events.

Focus Groups

Focus Groups

Our Focus Group meetings provide sector specific updates and information for members.

Press Exposure

Press Exposure

OSA members are regularly featured in the Optical Press, and online, as part of industry features about different aspects of the optical supply chain & new developments in AI, and the drive for sustainability.

BSIISO Standards

BSI/ISO Standards

OSA members benefit from a 35% discount on BSI optical standards.

For information on how to get your 35% discount please contact mmacritchie@osa-uk.co.uk

OSA Standards Panel meets regularly, sometimes with standards representatives from the other optical bodies. This ensures that new standards that affect our members have expert UK input and are worded clearly and appropriately.

The Panel is chaired by OSA Director Andy Sanders

Standards contact: a.sanders@hoya.co.uk

Invaluable Updates and Insight

Invaluable Updates and Insight

OSA General Meetings have had leading industry figures giving presentations and insights into current trends and news. OSA constantly contact members with any news updates affecting the optical industry. We helped keep members updated during the Covid pandemic and we want to ensure our members are fully aware of legislation and regulation from the UK and Europe, as well as buying trends in Europe.

General Meetings, Summer Event & AGM

General Meetings, Summer Event & AGM

The OSA Spring and Autumn Members’ Meetings are a great way for members to connect and discuss topics affecting them as suppliers to UK optics. 2023 meetings will take place on 3 April (Friends House, London) and 17 October respectively. We have been delighted to hold summer members meetings in June in the last couple of years which have proved hugely successful and a great way for members to connect. 2023’s summer event took place on 19-20 June at the Belfry Hotel.

HR Knowledge Base

HR Knowledge Base

OSA members can register to get access to the HR Knowledge Base, created by HR Solutions. Your membership benefit also includes 3 free calls to the HR Advice Line as well as access to HR Updates, Risk Audits and Webinars.

Find out more

Annual Christmas Luncheon and AGM

Annual Christmas Luncheon and AGM

OSA members and their guests come together every December following the AGM, to enjoy networking opportunities, and a catch up with friends within the OSA and across the optical sector. These have been even more welcome post Covid and over the past couple of years we have held the event in the beautiful Bloomsbury Hotel. Members will be joining us there again at the 2024 event on 6th December.

Participate in European and UK regulation and legislation

Participate in European and UK regulation and legislation

As members of Eurom 1 and JOCEU we report regularly on European developments such as the Medical Devices Regulation and UDI. We followed the Medical Devices Bill through UK parliament and the OSA responded to the government consultation on the future regulation of medical devices in the UK.

Digital E-Health

Digital / E-Health

This is a pressing issue in the optical sector and OSA members will be leading this debate. We have created a focus group for members who deal with software and technology to keep updated and informed with the latest news in this evolving sector.

Collaboration with other optical stakeholders

Collaboration with other optical stakeholders

We are in dialogue with ABDO, ACLM, AOP, BCLA, College of Optometrists, FODO, GOC, Optic UK and others in order to gain market knowledge, anticipate problems and work together as a cohesive industry.

Sustainability Committee

Sustainability Committee

The OSA created the Sustainability Committee in the Summer of 2021 and has proved hugely successful with much progress made. A sustainability glossary was created and is available on the OSA website. An OSA members Green Charter will be released in 2024. All members are invited to join the committee and participate in regular meetings.

What Our Members Say…

The OSA stand at 100% is a hub for discussion and is a focal place for me to meet my customers at the show, when the whole optical community comes together.

Rob Barrow, Managing Director, Spec-Care

By attending OSA meetings we know what is coming along in the industry and profession. We enjoy the camaraderie and networking, and it increases our understanding of emerging opportunities.

Tanya Storey, General Manager, Mainline Optical Connections

I am a networker at heart, so I enjoy the contact at the OSA and finding out about the early stages of industry trends and opportunities to collaborate with other businesses.

Ross Bailey Optical Director, The Body Doctor

It is great to be part of the optical community, and to hear what others are doing. We make friends for life.”

Tim Baker, Managing Director, BIB Ophthalmic Instruments

Membership provides a wider knowledge of what the industry is doing, rather than everyone focusing on their own area. We all have a vested interest to work together, as a strong group.

Mike Riley, Director, Commercial Operations, Hilco Vision

We value the OSA’s dedicated optical advice, along with guidance on MHRA. The opportunities provided for conversations with colleagues in the supply chain often bring beneficial collaborations.

Julian Clarke, Managing Director, Caseco

The OSA id a great forum within the industry and to share knowledge. By working together we have a greater chance of moving forward in a positive way. The OSA is very useful at this time of great regulatory change.

Paul Hopkins, Professional Services Manager, Carl Zeiss Vision

OSA guidance on matters relating to new Medical Device Regulations, as well as the OSA’s direct representation at MHRA, has been valuable. It is especially useful to use the OSA stand at 100% Optical to host presentations and meetings, and to chat to the OSA team.

David Thickens, CEO Grafton Optical

We get a lot of guidance from OSA. It is a great resource and saves us a lot of time.

Harry Lumley, Director, Lumley Optical

It is very valuable for us as a business to gain an insight into the challenges of other industry partners, and to share concerns about the market.  The regional meetings, and specific focus groups, are a great way to keep up with what is happening.

Andy Sanders, Professional Services Director, Hoya

Industry News

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OSA Members Meeting

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1 December 2024

OSA AGM and Christmas Lunch

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