ZVA Demands Stricter Market Surveillance for Eyewear Imported from Non-EU Countries

The Central Association of German Opticians (ZVA) is calling for more consistent market surveillance to ensure corrective spectacles imported directly from non-EU countries comply with European Medical Device Regulation (MDR). While local opticians face strict documentation and testing duties, the ZVA argues that international online platforms often bypass equivalent checks. Citing EU Commission data showing only 387,588 customs interventions against approximately 5.9 billion low-value e-commerce goods entering the EU in 2025, the association warns of significant control deficits. Although new EU customs rules took effect in July 2026 and mandatory product identifiers are scheduled for November, the ZVA insists these measures do not replace actual safety verification. The organization has submitted a position paper to political debates on MDR revision, advocating for targeted test purchases and better traceability to protect consumers and ensure fair competition.