Regulator focuses on corporate registration

Completion of a review into how optical businesses should be regulated was one the General Optical Council's priorities outlined in its business plan for 2013/14 released last week.

The regulator said it wanted to develop a clear position on the subject for the Law Commission and follows a recent investigation into unregistered Specsavers joint-venture companies which resulted in the multiple registering all of its practices (News 18.01.13).

The GOC said it believed that a review may highlight scope for new statutory framework to contain provision for a more clear, modern and proportionate system of business regulation.

Other priorities outlined included reviews of standards of competence, conduct and performance and how students should be regulated. The implementation of a revised approach tackling illegal practices was also detailed.