What GOC does
Statutory regulator for optometrists, dispensing opticians, student opticians, and optical businesses in the UK. Registers individuals and businesses, sets standards, and investigates concerns.
Contact GOC
- goc@optical.org
- Phone
- 020 7580 3898
Legal framework
Legislation that GOC directly enforces.
Primary legislation
Secondary legislation
The Sale of Optical Appliances Order of Council 1984
The General Optical Council (Rules on the Fitting of Contact Lenses) Order of Council 1985
The General Optical Council (Contact Lens (Qualifications etc.) Rules) Order of Council 1988
The General Optical Council Contact Lens (Specification) Rules Order of Council 1989
The Sight Testing (Examination and Prescription) (No. 2) Regulations 1989
The General Optical Council (Testing of Sight by Persons Training as Ophthalmic Opticians Rules) Order of Council 1994
The General Optical Council (Rules relating to Injury or Disease of the Eye) Order of Council 1999
The General Optical Council (Committee Constitution Rules) Order of Council 2005
The General Optical Council (Continuing Education and Training Rules) Order of Council 2005
The General Optical Council (Registration Appeals Rules) Order of Council 2005
… and 11 more statutory instruments.
Related legislation
Legislation connected to GOC’s remit but not directly enforced — establishing Acts, amendments, referenced legislation, and context.
Referenced in enforcement
Medicines Act 1968
Health Act 1999
Human Medicines Regulations 2012
The National Health Service (Optical Charges and Payments) Regulations 2013