Will the Path Open for 'Online Purchase' of Glasses... Establishing E-commerce Guidelines

Unicorn Company Emerges in the US for 'Remote Vision Testing'... Regulations Persist in Korea Due to Opticians Association Opposition

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Son Seon-hee] The government has decided to establish e-commerce guidelines to allow the buying and selling of eyeglasses (single vision) online. A joint study involving relevant stakeholders and experts will also be promoted.

According to related ministries including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 30th, the 'Win-Win Coordination Organization' composed of stakeholders in single vision eyeglasses e-commerce reached an agreement on this matter after about five months of discussions as of the day before.

E-commerce for eyeglasses has been prohibited under the current 'Medical Technicians Act,' but discussions began in 2019 when 'Rounds,' a company specializing in virtual try-on technology for eyeglasses, applied for a regulatory sandbox. Overseas, remote vision tests and online eyeglasses transactions are already possible through technology. In the United States, the unicorn company 'Warby Parker,' which provides remote vision tests and augmented reality services, recorded sales of $396 million as of last year and was listed on NASDAQ in September this year.

However, domestic optician associations strongly oppose this. Domestic opticians are licensed professionals who have passed national exams, and they argue that vision tests should be conducted according to the expertise of opticians to protect the public’s eye health.

Amid escalating social conflicts between existing and new businesses, the government selected 'single vision eyeglasses e-commerce' as a 2021 One Step Model application task in June to reduce social costs. As a result of discussions over the past five months in the Win-Win Coordination Organization, the necessity of utilizing new virtual try-on technology alongside the expertise of opticians was also recognized.

Accordingly, the government, led by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will prepare guidelines on the technical and institutional requirements and standards for eyeglasses e-commerce, and related industries will form a practical consultative body to collaborate by utilizing virtual try-on technology in eyeglass stores.

The government stated, "This is the first case of reaching an agreement in the health and medical field where conflicts have continued," and added, "We have decided to establish a win-win cooperation plan to enhance eyeglasses sales services and expand sales channels by utilizing virtual try-on technology in eyeglass stores."