Published through 2026-11-03 02:15 UTC · Automated cloud publishing.
SPECTARIS Announces Biennial Trendforum Schedule and PFAS Regulatory Concerns
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German industry association SPECTARIS has announced significant changes to its Consumer Optics division's operations and regulatory stance. Most notably, the organization confirmed that its annual Trendforum will shift to a biennial schedule, with the next edition planned for November 2027. This decision responds to industry requests for extended timeframes for content development and planning. The announcement follows the successful convening of the 24th Trendforum in Berlin on November 3, 2025, which gathered 400 participants to discuss artificial intelligence, smart glasses, and workforce trends. Concurrently, SPECTARIS issued a warning regarding proposed European regulations, submitting four statements to the European Chemicals Agency’s SEAC consultation. The group opposes a blanket restriction on over 10,000 PFAS substances, arguing that such measures threaten eyewear coatings and medical supply chains. Instead, SPECTARIS advocates for a risk-based approach to chemical regulation. These developments highlight the association's dual focus on adapting event structures to member needs while actively engaging in critical legislative consultations affecting product safety and availability.
AI-generated from reporting · updated 21 days ago
Developments
- 10-9 23:01 · 1 reportsSPECTARIS Trendforum held in BerlinSPECTARIS Consumer Optics：SPECTARIS Trendforum 2025 convenes 400 industry representatives in Berlin to discuss AI, smart glasses, and workforce trends
- 10-9 23:01 · 1 reportsSPECTARIS Trendforum switches to biennial scheduleSPECTARIS Consumer Optics：SPECTARIS shifts eyewear Trendforum to biennial schedule with next edition set for November 2027
- 10-9 23:01 · 1 reportsSPECTARIS warns of PFAS restriction impact on eyewearSPECTARIS Consumer Optics：SPECTARIS Warns PFAS Ban Threatens Eyewear Coatings and Medical Supply
Reporting timeline
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- SPECTARIS Consumer OpticsSPECTARIS Trendforum 2025 convenes 400 industry representatives in Berlin to discuss AI, smart glasses, and workforce trends
On November 3, 2025, the 24th SPECTARIS Trendforum took place at Classic Remise Berlin, gathering 400 participants from the optical industry. The event focused on future trends, including artificial intelligence applications by Dr. Vanessa Just, smart glasses developments discussed by Richard Gutjahr, and workforce recruitment strategies. Key speakers included former Federal Minister Volker Wissing and table tennis legend Timo Boll. Mirjam Rösch, Chair of Consumer Optics, emphasized optimism regarding new products and services. Additional highlights featured the "Tomorrow Vision" trade fair concept, a social media campaign for apprenticeships, and discussions on eye screening and retail megatrends.
- SPECTARIS Consumer OpticsSPECTARIS shifts eyewear Trendforum to biennial schedule with next edition set for November 2027
The German industry association SPECTARIS announced that its Consumer Optics Trendforum will now take place every two years, responding to industry requests for more time for content development and planning. The 25th edition is scheduled for November 8, 2027. To bridge the gap, SPECTARIS introduced the "SPECTARIS Future Festival" in Berlin on September 16, 2026. This new cross-industry event focuses on transformation and growth paths, featuring discussions on high-tech locations in Germany and optical AR technologies. Mirjam Rösch, chair of the SPECTARIS Consumer Optics division, highlighted the festival as a strong platform for innovation and geopolitical perspectives across all four SPECTARIS industries.
- SPECTARIS Consumer OpticsSPECTARIS Warns PFAS Ban Threatens Eyewear Coatings and Medical Supply
German industry association SPECTARIS submitted four statements to the European Chemicals Agency’s SEAC consultation, opposing the proposed blanket restriction on over 10,000 PFAS substances. The group advocates for a risk-based approach with exemptions for fluoropolymers, arguing no unacceptable risk has been proven. In eyewear, PFAS enable durable, easy-clean lens coatings; SPECTARIS claims these applications are low-emission and lack equivalent alternatives, warning of reduced product quality and competitiveness. The association also highlights risks to medical technology, noting potential impacts on patient care and the availability of approximately 150,000 established medical devices. SPECTARIS criticizes procedural deficits, including insufficient sector-specific assessments and short transition periods, citing a BDI legal opinion that challenges the ban’s proportionality and regulatory basis.