A leap in the eyewear industry's adoption of sustainability practices was marked at Mido with the Italian Association of Optical Goods Manufacturers (ANFAO) introducing an environmental qualification label for the sector’s products: Certified Sustainable Eyewear (CSE).  

An ANFAO statement said it is hoped the certificate will become the new product sustainability standard for the industry, certifying glasses and their components.  

The project emphasises the commitment of our members to lessen the environmental impact of the supply chain, said Lorraine Berton, ANFAO president. “With the CSE certification we will be able to guide eyewear companies, primarily SMEs, into the future of sustainability, along a path that is oriented toward environmental, social and economic issues." 

The CSE label, created in collaboration with independent body Certottica, will be issued by ANFAO based on industry-specific criteria accounting for the social and economic impacts of resource extraction and raw materials, production, distribution, use and disposal. 

The certification identifies the most sustainable products and is based on UNI EN ISO 14020 and UNI EN ISO 14024 standards. It is voluntary and open to all eyewear companies, globally. For more, see https://www.cse-eyewear.it/ 

Design and sustainability recognised at Mido

Another Mido highlight was annual awards ceremony honouring outstanding contributions from optical centres, exhibitors and trade professionals dedicated to enhancing the industry's standards. 

In a nod to sustainable practices, Costruzione Strumenti Oftalmici, an Italian company, received the Stand Up For Green award for presenting the fair’s most sustainable booth made solely from circular materials.

The ceremony culminated with the presentation of the Certified Sustainable Eyewear Awards (CES) rewarding ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation and sustainability, setting a high standard for the global eyewear market. The 2024 CES award winners were: 

- Cases Rest of the World: Aqua by Exploris Asia (China)

- Cases Europe: Babe 24 by Llexan Italia (Italy)

- Frames Rest of the World: Natura by Neway Macao (Macao)

- Frames Europe: Tommy Hilfiger by Safilo (Italy)

- Sunglasses Rest of the World: Longchamp by Marchon (US)

- Sunglasses Europe: Rolf (Austria)

Marchon's Longchamp won the sunglass category (US)