Take part in the SILMO d'Or Awards
The SILMO d'Or: Over 30 Years of excellence, passion, and boldness!
Since 1994, the SILMO d'Or has rewarded excellence in creativity and innovation in the world of optics and eyewear. A true reference in the sector, this iconic award has already honored over 300 companies. A symbol of prestige and avant-garde, the famous winged statuette continues to crown the innovations that shape the future of the market.
Each year, a jury made up of more than 100 experts, professionals, and journalists from the sector gather in Paris to select the most notable innovations in optics and eyewear. Through several committees and over 40 hours of deliberations, they rigorously assess each application to designate the winners in the various categories in competition!
- Vision (lenses, contact lenses)
- Material / equipment / low vision
- Sport
- Children
- Technological innovation in eyewear
- Smart eyewear
- Optical frames “eyewear designer”
- Sunglasses “eyewear designer”
- Optical frames “labels”
- Sunglasses “labels”
- Optical frames “craftmanship & know-how”
- Sunglasses “craftmanship & know-how”
Dare to apply and give your innovation or creativity the recognition it deserves!
Innovating means getting ahead. It’s about exploring new horizons where others haven’t dared yet. By presenting your creation for the SILMO d'Or, you bring your ambition to life: to make your brand shine, inspire the profession, and motivate your teams around a project full of meaning and pride.
A unique springboard for your visibility.
Being nominated or winning a SILMO d'Or means benefiting from exceptional visibility among industry leaders, specialized media, and the entire international optics community. It’s about leaving a mark and making history at the show.
This year, what if it were you?
The SILMO d'Or Award is waiting for your talent. Join the companies that are advancing the sector. Participate, shine, inspire.
Key dates:
- Online registration deadline
- 20 August – Categories: Vision, Smart Eyewear, Material / equipment / Low Vision, Technological Innovation in Eyewear
- 1 September – Categories: Children, Sport, Optical Frames, Sunglasses (all categories)
- Receipt of entries in Paris
- 26 August – Categories: Vision, Smart Eyewear, Material / equipment / Low Vision, Technological Innovation in Eyewear
- 4 September – Categories: Children, Sport, Optical Frames, Sunglasses (all categories)
- Oral presentation in Paris – an oral presentation may be required for the following categories:
- 3 September – Material / equipment category
- 4 September – Vision category
- 7 September – Smart Eyewear category
- 9 September – Low Vision category
- Mid-September: announcement of nominations
- 26 September: Selection of winners
- Official presentation of the SILMO d'OR at the evening ceremony, Saturday 26 September
A look back at the SILMO d'Or 2025 ceremony
Responsible Company award
Promote your company with the Responsible Company Prize
Key dates:
- 22 July: Application deadline
- 23 July – 1 August: Review of applications and shortlisting of finalists
- Mid-September: Jury / selection of the winner
- 26 September: Awards ceremony at SILMO Paris 2026
The Responsible Company Award
Discover "Regard sur le secteur" (Industry Insights), the latest series in our CSR features, in which Dominique Royet explores the sector's current challenges through practical case studies and real-world examples.
This is also an opportunity to present the Responsible Company Award, which highlights best CSR practices from companies in the optical sector.
The first episodes and the rest of the series can be found on our YouTube playlist via the button below.
-
Objective - What is the purpose of the responsible company award?
The responsible company award recognizes companies in the optical sector that implement actions to reduce their environmental impact and enhance their social and societal impact.
Its purpose is not to reward a single “green” product, but rather the overall consistency and progress of the company as a whole.
Its objective is to highlight concrete, accessible, and inspiring practices.
-
Eligibility - Is it intended for a specific type of company?
The award is open to all SILMO exhibitors involved in the manufacturing of optical products, from small businesses to large corporations, regardless of their CSR maturity level.
Since agility and available resources to improve practices may vary depending on company size, geographic location, and context, these elements are taken into account during the evaluation process to ensure a fair assessment of each company’s efforts.
-
Eligibility - My company manufactures products other than frames (lenses, contact lenses, accessories, pos materials, etc.). Are we eligible?
Of course! Any company involved in manufacturing, regardless of its product range, is eligible to win the responsible company award.
Depending on the sectors represented and the quality of the applications received, the jury reserves the right to grant one or more awards.
-
Legitimacy - We do not have an official “CSR strategy.” Can we still apply?
Yes, absolutely. CSR is not limited to a formal roadmap or a structured report.
The application questionnaire emphasizes the concrete actions implemented by the company. If your company carries out initiatives across various CSR topics (working conditions, material choices, etc.), you are welcome to apply.
-
Legitimacy - Is the award reserved for companies that are already highly advanced in CSR?
The jury evaluates the consistency of actions in relation to impacts — not perfection.
Have you implemented a few simple but genuine initiatives? Are you in transition, without a formalized strategy? Are you innovating at your own scale?
Your application absolutely deserves consideration.
-
Legitimacy - What if our approach is not yet fully completed?
That is precisely the point of the award.
It recognizes:
- Ongoing initiatives,
- Strategic choices,
- Improvement trajectories,
Not just final results. Participating also provides an opportunity to step back, structure your thinking, and identify areas for progress.
-
Legitimacy - Is SILMO legitimate in granting this award?
As a leading trade show in the optical industry, SILMO Paris aims to highlight positive dynamics and transformations within the sector. To ensure rigor and objectivity in the evaluation process, SILMO Paris relies on external CSR expertise: Hyssop agency.
Hyssop is responsible for developing the specifications in alignment with iso 26000 and for evaluating applicant companies as an independent third party. Among the finalists selected by Hyssop, the winner is then chosen by an independent jury composed of CSR experts and journalists, specialists (eco-design, hr, etc.), as well as optical industry professionals. This composition ensures a cross-disciplinary perspective that is both demanding and grounded in the sector’s operational realities.
In a context where standards and labels are multiplying, the award provides a complementary sector-based perspective: it does not certify compliance, but rather highlights coherent trajectories, strategic choices, and sincere commitments within the industry.
-
Application - Is the application process long or time-consuming?
No. The questionnaire has been designed to be simple, pragmatic, and accessible, without jargon or complex reporting.
- estimated time: a few hours
- no need for heavy documentation or highly technical indicators.
You may attach supporting documents as evidence, but this is not mandatory.
The purpose is not to produce an audit.
Additionally, the application process is simplified from one year to the next, as responses are pre-filled with previous submissions if you have already participated. Once you apply, you will only need to update your information in future editions to try again!
-
Benefits - Is there anything concrete for us to gain?
Yes, and much more than a trophy!
Winning the responsible company award means:
- showcasing your commitments at a leading international trade fair
- gaining visibility among visitors, partners, and media, with press coverage
- strengthening your credibility with clients and employees through recognition by an independent CSR expert
- giving momentum to your strategy
-
Benefits - What if my company does not win the award?
Even if you are not a winner or finalist, your company will still benefit from visibility, as best practices from applications are highlighted in the SILMO CSR spot.
Beyond the award itself, applying also allows you to review your practices. It’s a form of self-assessment.
In all cases, participation remains useful and rewarding:
- you formalize your commitments
- you become part of a collective movement
- you affirm your CSR positioning within the industry
-
Benefits - Is it risky to communicate about our commitments?
No, provided the approach is sincere, which is precisely what the award encourages.
The responsible company award:
- Does not seek marketing speeches
- Values transparency and consistency
- Recognizes that every commitment can be improved
-
Benefits - Why participate now?
Because:- Client, partner, and talent expectations are evolving rapidly
- CSR is becoming a key driver of competitiveness
- SILMO is a strategic moment to affirm your vision
Moreover, the Responsible Company Award values continuous improvement: if your company is not selected this year but demonstrates strong progress next year, it significantly increases its chances of winning the Award.