OSA forms SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

OSA forms SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE

The Optical Suppliers Association (OSA) held its first meeting of the Sustainability Committee on Friday 23 July, where it was agreed that Jayne Abel would be Chair and Julian Wiles the Deputy Chair. Positions will be up for rotation on an annual basis.

How to behave in a more environmentally sensitive and more sustainable way are very big topics – and there are many different and often confusing resources available.

Jayne Abel expressed her delight at being asked to Chair this important new committee, and stressed the challenges that OSA members face:
“The climate crisis is real and we must act now. As business owners we have a responsibility to take custody of our industry, to monitor and manage its impact on the natural world. There is a growing portfolio of eco-suppliers in the UK, EU and Far East and the more we invest in them, the wider and more cost-effective our choices will be in the coming decade”.

The OSA will develop a voluntary charter that members can sign up to, to show their commitment to behaving an environmentally responsible way.

As a first step, to help members down this road, the committee will begin work on some basic guidance on key concepts and a glossary of terms. It will also compile a list of accreditation schemes and companies.

The OSA will also work with colleagues in the optical sector, including ABDO, who have developed a workstream on social, ethical and environmental (SEE) initiatives, and are holding their first SEE Summit on the Environment on 4 October. OSA are delighted to be supporting this event – you can find out more and book a place here.

OSA members have been invited to join the Committee to assist and other industry players should consider joining the OSA to play a part in this important work that will eventually affect all.

Find out more about the OSA here