Standards Australia Centenary and the Optical Industry Connection
Kevin O’Connor, Annette Hoskin, Simon Pavy, Amanda Trotman, George Webster
On the 12th of October 2022, Standards Australia hosted an event to celebrate its 100th birthday and recognise the contribution and efforts of its many stakeholders.
It is most important that we recognise the contribution of industry volunteers in the Standards development process. Standards can sometimes be met with mixed reactions, whilst a simple concept, the development and implementation of them can, of course, be very complex. This, therefore, requires many individuals to get involved and provide input early to achieve the best outcomes for their industries. These people, including industry participants, are often involved as part of their role but participate voluntarily, juggling time commitments with their other roles. In the words of Standards Australia, “these people are at the core of delivering standards that continue to benefit Australians in their daily lives.”
The main Ophthalmic Industry Australian Standards committees that ODMA representatives have membership in, are:
MS-024 - Spectacle Lens – (and associated subcommittees such as Instrumentation, Contact lenses, Spectacle Frames, Implants etc.)
SF-052 – Occupational protective clothing and equipment (and associated subcommittees)
SF-006 – Eye and Face Protection (including sunglasses)
Australian Standards (AS) committees often ‘mirror’ ISO committees and are a conduit of Australian industry input to the relevant ISO Standards. Many existing Australian standards are now either direct or modified adoptions of the ISO standards.
Amanda Trotman, ODMA CEO, says, “We are thankful for the innovation, market confidence and the promotion of safe practices as well as resulting eye and face protection for consumers that result from Standards compliance.”
So what does an industry representative on a Standards committee do?
The AS committees are formed by membership positions from all related industry sectors. This includes Academics, Professional Practitioners, Manufacturing, Distribution, Regulatory sectors, consumer bodies etc. The ODMA participants represent the interests of the Manufacturing and Distribution sectors of the Ophthalmic Industry. They provide expert knowledge and input and comment on developing new standards and revising existing standards as the industry continues to evolve. This is at a local and international level. This ensures that appropriate industry standards, requirements and test methods are developed to protect consumers and the industry while not adding administrative and cost burdens.
ODMA representatives have contributed to Standards development and evolution for the ophthalmic industry for over 50 years. The earliest ODMA involvement was by Dr Don Schultz around 1968 in the MS-024 and SF-006 Committees. Don was then a Director of Laubman and Pank and a member of the Industrial Eye Protection committee. Then back in 1972, he was replaced by Rod Watkins. Rod was a member of SF-006 Eye and Face Protection from 1972-1992, was a member of MS-024 Ophthalmic Optics from 1975 to 1997, a member of CS 053 Sunglasses and Fashion Spectacles from 1975-1990, a Chairman of Contact Lenses and Contact Lens Solutions from 1980-1984, as well as an Australian Delegate for ISOTC172/SC7/WG5 Ophthalmic Optics from 1982-1987.
ODMA representatives have helped to navigate through significant industry challenges and changes such as:
The transition of the Ophthalmic industry from glass products to plastic resin products
Transition and evolution of the industry from conventional lens manufacture (semi-finished and finished cast lens product types) to ‘freeform’ lens manufacturing
Programs of adoption of ISO standards (2009) in place of local AS standards
The Reference wavelength standard used in the Optics and photonics industry
Evolution of Progressive lens standards
Technology developments of materials, coatings and treatments - Anti Reflective, abrasion resistance and photochromic
Spectral transmittance - Ultraviolet Light protection UV400 (unique to Australia UV exposure levels), traffic signal recognition, photochromic spectral performance and others
These topics could significantly impact the local industry in terms of cost, product integrity, export and import issues, barriers to trade and consumer protection.
On occasion, the standards have led to technology changes in the industry and on other occasions, lagged technology changes and have needed to quickly modify and adapt the standards to maintain relevancy.
ODMA Representatives
Nominate and become project members for Standards development and revision activities
Attend local and international meeting forums and standards development workshops
Facilitate industry input to feed into the Standards development process
Consult with the industry for Standards interpretation and application
Communicate Australian input into the ISO forums
Provide expert advice to industry and government representatives helping shape legislation and policy
“On behalf of ODMA, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the optical representatives, past and present, that have worked tirelessly to assist our industry,” added Amanda Trotman
In more recent years, Kevin O’Connor assisted us, Professor David Atchison, Prof Stephen Dain (Chair of SF-006 Eye and Face Protection), Annette Hoskin (Chair of MS-024 Ophthalmic Optics), George Webster, Lionel Minter, Simon Pavy, Tim Gibson.
Many have won awards for recognition of their great work along the way…and to highlight but a few achievements of these optical representatives (given they rarely sing their own praises) –
Kevin O’Connor was the recipient of the following awards:
from ISO for outstanding contribution to the work of ISO / TC172 / SC7 / WG2 and ISO/ TC94 / SC6
Excellence award for Project Leadership and expert in ISO/ TC 172/SC7 for ISO/ TR 20772-2018 Ophthalmic optics – Spectacle lenses.
Recognition of more than 20 years of service in standardisation, noting technical expertise and superb writing skills to spectacle lens and eye protection standards
Standards Australia Certificate of appreciation for 40 years of commitment to the national and international eye and face protection and ophthalmic optics standards.
Tim McCann has served on numerous Sunglass Standards committees since 2007. Whilst Tim is not a technical optical specialist, he has played an important role in helping manage the application of various standards in the industry. Tim was President of the Sunglass Association of Australia from 2008 – 2010 and assists ODMA with advice on sunglass matters.
ODMA Board Directors such as Lionel Minter, who has served as a Standards representative since 2003, often take on the responsibility of voting right on certain committees to help ensure Standards development is working in the best interests of the whole industry, effectively providing members with a voice in this important area.
We thank these dedicated professionals for advancing our industry, driving innovation, keeping consumers safe and representing optical in Australia and on the international stage.
We hope the next generation of keen pioneering contributors is waiting in the wings to get involved in Standards plus the broader opportunities to represent the optical industry on the various relevant committees. We seek committed individuals to take the industry forward and to learn from past valued contributors before they retire, and we hope to focus on other, more relaxing endeavours.
If you want to be part of something bigger than your individual role, please contact your industry Associations and see how you can get involved.
by Amanda Trotman, ODMA, CEO
marketing@odma.com.au
