MILAN—The CSE (Certified Sustainable Eyewear) Award is a new prize being established by Mido, in partnership with ANFAO and Certottica, to honor sustainability in the global eyewear industry. Organizers of the international eyewear exhibition, to be held Feb.4-6 at the Rho Perso center, said that all exhibitors at Mido 2023 are eligible to participate in this first edition of the award by nominating a pair of sunglasses, eyewear frames or an eyewear case. An international panel of expert judges will evaluate the competing products which, to qualify for a win, must have been produced in compliance with the principles of sustainability.

Entry forms will be active from Dec. 15, 2022 through January 15, 2023, show organizers noted. Recycled materials, reduced consumption in the production and distribution processes, maximization of the supply chain, elimination of waste, degree of recyclability, use of renewable resources and any certifications already achieved, are just some of the criteria the jury will use to determine the first winners in the following six categories:
 
● CSE Award Sunglasses Europe
● CSE Award Sunglasses Rest of the World
● CSE Award Frames Europe
● CSE Award Frames Rest of the World
● CSE Award Cases Europe
● CSE Award Cases Rest of the World              
 
"This is a necessary step in the eyewear industry," commented Mido president Giovanni Vitaloni. "In our sector, we have companies that have been truly committed and active in the field of sustainability (environmental, social, economic) for a long time: I am thinking of the big players but also independent brands that produce with the lowest possible impact on the ecosystem. I believe that we should get together, taking inspiration from the experience of these companies, improving where possible and keeping up to date in order to make the whole industry grow in this direction, with great professionalism and determination."
 
He added, "This award is a fundamental milestone for us, which does not, however, decree the end of this journey, but the stage of a path that began in 2019 and which obtained, for Mido 2022, the ISO 20121:2012 certification, which proves the sustainable management of major events."
 
To participate, exhibitors at Mido 2023 must complete the online form, available from Dec. 15, 2022 to Jan. 15, 2023 in the “Take Part” section of the official website: https://www.mido.com/en/. Starting on Dec. 15, exhibitors can download the Regulations, review all of the judging criteria and submit their nomination.