Practitioners warned over reglazing ruling

From this weekend consumersÕ non-CE marked frames should not be reglazed with new prescription lenses, Ôexcept in exceptional circumstancesÕ.
The three-year period of grace for non-CE marked frames and lenses comes to an end on June 30. By then all items which fall outside the regulations should have been ÔpurgedÕ from the supply chain.
The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians and the Federation of Ophthalmic and Dispensing Opticians have issued a joint statement as a reminder to the profession: ÔThe three-year period to purge non-CE marked frames and lenses from the distribution chain expires June 30 2001. From July 2001 all frames and lenses intended for glazing must be CE marked, either directly or on the packaging as appropriate.
ÔWhere patientsÕ spectacles are repaired to bring them back to their original configuration, then such repairs are not covered by the Medical Devices Directive. Members need only use their own controls.
ÔWhere a new prescription for lenses is intended for an existing frame, then members must ensure the frames conform to the Essential Requirements (Medical Devices Directive Ð Appendix 1). Since it was very difficult to establish the integrity of used frames, this means, in effect that existing patientsÕ frames may not be used for reglazing with new prescription lenses, except in exceptional circumstances.Õ
There has been speculation that no action would be taken if old frames were reglazed, but professionals are advised that the statement reflects the current legal position.
ÔDeviation from this position would be at membersÕ own risk,Õ the FMO and FODO warn.
u See Omen, page 14.