Views are being sought by the GOC on business regulations that would extend regulation to all businesses providing specified restricted functions.
Among the proposals were: extending regulation to all entities providing the specified restricted functions, like universities; replacing the maximum fine of £50,000 with an uncapped penalty for business registrants receiving a sanction; changes to the consumer redress scheme, and removing requirements for corporate businesses to have a majority of registrant directors.
As of March 31, 2024, the GOC had 2,852 business registrants compared with an estimated total of 5,040 retail opticians (57%).
Steve Brooker, GOC director of regulatory strategy, said: 'The current framework has resulted in an outdated, complex, and piecemeal system, where only around half of optical businesses are regulated by the GOC. This creates a public protection gap and an uneven playing field for businesses.
'It has become clear that effective public protection requires regulation of both eye care professionals and the clinical and commercial environments in which they deliver care. Our proposals aim to strengthen public protection, provide a fairer trading environment for businesses, and support the planned shift in care from hospitals to communities.'
The consultation will be open from 23 October 2024 to 22 January 2025, send responses to GOC online consultation platform or email consultations@optical.org.
