Services for the profession
Collective services for companies
Other Associated services
A role at the heart of Europe
SERVICES FOR THE PROFESSION
Since its creation in 1896, the Groupement des Industriels et Fabricants de l'Optique
has had the following missions :
Protection and representation of professional interests
with regard to the
authorities
Representation of the profession in France and abroad
Collective promotion of the French optical and photonics
industries
Public relations
Carry out missions in the common interest
Collective services for member companies
In the context of its protection and
promotional policy for the industry, GIFO intervenes
from time to time with government and administrative
departments on all subjects of general interest.
Some
exemples :
Systematic consultation of French suppliers on the
open market,
Analysis of industrial and customs statistics (principally
in ophthalmic optics )
Carry out specific surveys,
Monitoring of regulations drawn up by the European
Community Commission in Brussels,
Analysis of project european directives and taking
a strong line in close collaboration with the European
Federation of the Optical Industry and Precision Mechanics
(EUROM) of which GIFO is a founder member.
Follow-up of basic research and research and development
in optics, in France
( Ministère de la Recherche , ANVAR, CNRS,
Institut d'Optique ) and in the European Union.
COLLECTIVE SERVICES FOR COMPANIES
GIFO is a privileged meeting point
for companies in the profession. Here they can obtain
information on their markets, future potential, and
the national and international business environment
In addition to the activities mentioned above, GIFO
regularly sends members the following information
:
minutes of Board and Working Party meetings,
specific bulletins on the ophthalmic optics sector
(market studies, foreign statistics, customs regulations
in France and abroad, state of the competition)
business propositions etc.
OTHER ASSOCIATED SERVICES
GIFO is a member of the Fédération
des Industries Mécaniques (Federation of Mechanical
Industries.) Affiliation to the F.I.M. allows member
companies to obtain precise personalised information
from F.I.M. specialists in the areas of : economics,
legal, regional relations, international council
Personalised Informations
1. Economics
Finance : advice adapted to a company's specific needs,
plus access to professional surety organisations (C.M.G.M.)
Assistance with preparation of dossiers for credit
requests etc.
2.
Legal questions
Advice on drafting commercial contracts ( or representation
), open market negotiation, updating general sales
conditions etc.
Information on competition regulations, fiscal legislation
( VAT, research tax credit, company taxes, professional
taxes etc.)
Information on applicable regulations concerning environmental
matters .
3.
Regional Relations
The
FIM is represented by delegates in the principal regions
of France. erce
extérieur ) ou des instances européennes
et internationales
4.
International relations
Information on the principal foreign markets and zones
offering development potential for French exporters.
Assistance from FIM permanent representatives or foreign
correspondents 5. French firms Organization (MEDEF)
Due to its affiliation to the MEDEF, GIFO benefits
from representation of its interests in the French
Employers Confederation.
A ROLE AT THE HEART OF EUROPE
GIFO and the EUROM
Created in 1960 in Brussels by GIFO and professional
union counterparts from other EEC member countries,
the EUROM (Fédération européenne
de l'industrie de l'optique et de la mécanique
de précision ) comprises 6 committees specialised
by area of activity with the close participation of
European Union manufacturers.
GIFO participates directly in two of these committees
:
Eurom I : Ophthalmic optics
Eurom II : Optical instruments, lasers and laboratory
equipment
