Synsam wants to help make the future a better one

The ambitions for the Synsam Group’s sustainability work have been set at a high level. We have a clear vision that we should be the leading and most sustainable lifestyle company in optics and eye health. We do this by applying a customer-driven approach that is guided by customers’ needs and their right to good vision throughout their lives, while offering sustainable choices and taking responsibility for sustainable climate and societal progress.

‘Good eye health and vision are crucial to public health. We help our customers to good vision throughout their lives, and we wish to do this with the smallest carbon footprint possible. The development of sustainable products is continuing, and the relocation of production to Sweden is an important part of this work.’

Håkan Lundstedt, CEO of Synsam Group

We are taking greater responsibility for our common future
Taking responsibility for the future of the community, with a long-term approach to optical retail and eye health, is important to Synsam. Its objective is for its customers to be able to receive modern products that are produced to the greatest extent possible from recycled and climate-efficient materials that contribute to circular flows, whether it concerns frames, packaging or services. Bringing production home from Asia to Sweden was an important part of this effort in 2022. The newly opened production and innovation centre in Frösön is creating local jobs, reducing climate impact and ensuring a good work environment in production.

Synsam supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda and has determined that the Group has a responsibility and the potential to contribute to several of the goals. The main focus is on Goal 12, “Responsible consumption and production” and Goal 3, “Good health and well-being”. In addition, Synsam also supports the UN Global Compact’s Principles for Responsible Business.

Sustainability strengthens our business
Sustainability is an integral part of Synsam’s business, and consumers have noticed. In 2022, Synsam was rated as the most sustainable brand in the optical retail sector for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Sustainable Brand Index survey in Sweden. Synsam also won the Retailer of the Year award at the Swedish Market Awards, and was rated as the most sustainable optical retail brand in Norway according to the Norsk Bærekraftbarometer research project at the BI Norwegian Business School.

The Group continually strives to better understand the risks and challenges of its business, not least from a climate perspective. Synsam introduced climate calculations for its operations during the year as part of this effort. The Group is aware that production of raw materials and manufacturing have the greatest impact on the climate. The climate calculations include related emissions throughout the entire value chain, and provide Synsam with an even better idea of where the Group can make the greatest impact. During 2022 Synsam continued the work with the Groups defined sustainability areas: customer responsibility, environmental responsibility and social responsibility. 

Synsam’s value chain
The Group bears a great deal of responsibility as the leading optical retail chain in the Nordic region and one of Europe’s leading players in the optical retail sector. Synsam’s entire business is based on a value chain where the Group takes responsibility for its impact on people, society and the economy. It is Synsam’s responsibility to work with its suppliers and partners to examine all parts of the value chain from a sustainability perspective. This encompasses design, purchase of raw materials, production and transports throughout the operations, sales, product use, and reuse and recycling. Processes and approaches have been identified for continuous improvement for each part of the value chain. Synsam strives to have a positive impact on people, society and the economy by making conscious decisions throughout the value chain, including supplier relationships and its own manufacturing.

Read more in Synsam Groups Annual and Sustainability Report 2022