(1)There shall continue to be a body corporate known as the General Optical Council (in this Act referred to as “the Council”).
(2)The Council shall have the general function of promoting high standards of [F1professional education, conduct and performance among registrants] and the additional functions assigned to the Council by or under this Act.
[F2(2A)The over-arching objective of the Council in exercising their functions is the protection of the public.
(2B)The pursuit by the Council of their over-arching objective involves the pursuit of the following objectives—
(a)to protect, promote and maintain the health, safety and well-being of the public;
(b)to promote and maintain public confidence in the professions regulated under this Act;
(c)to promote and maintain proper professional standards and conduct for members of those professions; and
(d)to promote and maintain proper standards and conduct for business registrants.]
(3)There shall continue to be a registrar of the Council.
[F3(4)The Council shall be constituted as provided for by order of the Privy Council, subject to Schedule 1 (which relates to the constitution etc. of the Council), and the provisions of that Schedule shall have effect.]
Textual Amendments
F1Words in s. 1(2) substituted (coming into force in accordance with art. 1(3)-(6) of the amending S.I.) by The Opticians Act 1989 (Amendment) Order 2005 (S.I. 2005/848), art. 3 (with Sch. 2)
F2S. 1(2A)(2B) substituted for s. 1(2A) (26.9.2016) by Health and Social Care (Safety and Quality) Act 2015 (c. 28), s. 6(4), Sch. para. 2(2); S.I. 2016/906, reg. 2(b)
F3S. 1(4) substituted (9.7.2008 for specified purposes, 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force) by The Health Care and Associated Professions (Miscellaneous Amendments) Order 2008 (S.I. 2008/1774), art. 1(3), Sch. 2 para. 1; S.I. 2008/3150, art. 2(3)(a)(i)