GOC publishes proposed changes to its business regulation framework following sector consultation

The College responded to the consultation in support of the principle of extending regulation to charities and university eye clinics who provide specified restricted functions. We do, however, have concerns around duplication of regulation, and the impact of the administrative burden and cost, which we have outlined in our full response to the consultation. We also supported the premise of removing the existing requirement for some bodies corporate to have a majority of registrant directors and the introduction of a requirement for all businesses to have a head of optical practice.   

However, the College does not support the GOC’s proposals for mandatory participation by businesses in the Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS). We believe the current Optical Consumer Complaints Service (OCCS) works well as a non-mandatory intermediary.  

The College is also disappointed that the GOC is seeking powers for uncapped financial penalties as part of its fitness to practice process. We believe the fairest option would be to have a cap for financial penalties and to link the penalties to turnover.