China Optometric&Optical Association (COOA)

Founded in 1985, the China Optometric and Optical Association (COOA) was jointly initiated by the former Ministry of Light Industry, together with the former Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Machinery Industry, Ministry of Ordnance Industry, and Ministry of Agriculture. It is the only national industry organization for the optometric and optical sector in China.

The Association is voluntarily composed of enterprises engaged in the production, fitting, operation, and servicing of eyewear and related products, as well as educational and training institutions, technical organizations, relevant social groups, and individuals within China. In 2014, it was rated as a 4A-level social organization by the Ministry of Civil Affairs. In 2024, it was recognized as a National Advanced Collective in the Light Industry Sector by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the China National Light Industry Council.

The Association has seven professional committees – Frames & Finished Eyeglasses, Ophthalmic Lenses & Semi-finished Blanks, Contact Lenses, Equipment & Instruments, Optometry & Dispensing, Quality & Standards, and Optical Components – as well as two branch associations: the Optometrists Branch and the Designers Branch. Each branch carries out specialized activities under the authorization of the Association.

The Association’s functions are threefold: assisting the government in strengthening industry management; exercising industry self-regulation, coordination, and supervision, while safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises; and providing services to enterprises. As the sponsor of China Glasses Science & Technology Magazine, the Association guides and supervises its editing and publication.

After forty years of development, the Association has brought together a number of well-known, high-quality eyewear enterprises from both China and abroad. It currently has 958 member enterprises, 51 standing council organizations, and 225 council organizations, with members covering all parts of the country.

The highest authority of the Association is the Member (Representative) Congress, which is convened every five years. The Council leads the Association’s work when the Congress is not in session. The Secretariat, the executive body of the Council, is permanently based in Beijing and handles the Association’s daily affairs.

Moving forward, the Association will continue to be guided by Party building, promote standardized self-discipline and the development of standards, facilitate technological innovation and quality improvement, strengthen brand cultivation and talent training, deepen industry support and international cooperation, enhance the effectiveness of exhibitions, bravely fulfill its mission in public welfare, and actively help improve the overall competitiveness of the industry. It will steadily advance its own democratization, scientific management, and professionalization, and continuously enhance its capacity and level of service to the industry. Led by the Council and pooling the wisdom and strength of all members, the Association will further consolidate industry consensus, serve enterprise development, and strive unremittingly for the healthy and sustainable development of the industry and the construction of a “strong eyewear nation.”