It isn't every day that professionals from the optical-eyewear industry get the chance to sit down at a table with heads of state. And what's more, to make them aware of issues of concern to our industry that extend beyond our boundaries.

But that's exactly what happened to the heads of Oxibis, Jérôme Collin and Daniel Arnaud, who enjoyed a meal at the Élysée, in the company of President François Hollande. The menu… the obstacles facing the French optical-eyewear industry.

Jérôme Collin, CEO of Oxibis and president of Lunetiers du Jura, spoke on behalf of profession, sharing his concerns over the rise in on-line eyewear sales.

The debate over this topic resumed in earnest in France a few weeks ago, after the State tried to create a law regulating e-commerce.  This came about after a 2010 decision was handed down by the European Union Court of Justice in 2010, confirming that banning the online sale of contact lenses goes against European community law.

“If we can't prevent it, we think eyewear e-commerce should be subject to regulations,” said Jérôme Collin. “Frames should be provided by an optician to ensure they are correctly fitted.”