New GOC standards of practice come into effect

New General Optical Council Standards of Practice for optometrists and dispensing Opticians, along with separate new standards for student registrations, have today come into effect.

The new standards have replaced the Code of Conduct for Individual Registrants, which applied to fully qualified practitioners and students. The document sets out the 19 standards that optical professionals must meet – relating to both to a registrant’s behaviour and professional performance.

Samantha Peters, GOC chief executive and registrar said: ‘I am pleased to announce that the new standards are now in effect. They are designed to support registrants and raise standards by making much clearer our expectations as the regulator.