Company: STAA
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form Type: DEF 14A
Source: 0000950170-25-058174
Chunk: 21

Company: STAAR SURGICAL CO
Filing Date: 2025-04-24
Form: DEF 14A
Chunk 21
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 Each current member of the Compensation Committee is independent, and each former member of the Compensation Committee was independent during the time they served on the committee, under the Nasdaq rules and heightened independence standards under the SEC rules applicable to compensation committee members. In addition, each current member of the Compensation Committee qualifies, and each former member of the Compensation Committee qualified during the time they served on the committee, as a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). During 2024, the Compensation Committee met six times.

Role of Compensation Consultant

The Compensation Committee has sole authority to retain and terminate a compensation consultant to assist in the evaluation of director, Chief Executive Officer or senior executive compensation. In 2023, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon Human Capital Solutions (formerly Radford Consulting) to review

| 2025 Proxy Statement | – 15 – |

#### ––Corporate Governance––
non-employee director and executive officer compensation and provide benchmark data and recommendations. Among other things, Aon assisted with updates to the peer group for the Company’s 2024 compensation program. During 2024, the Compensation Committee conducted a request for proposal process for its independent compensation consultant. Following a diligent search process, the Committee engaged Semler Brossy to assist with benchmarking and structuring market-based compensation packages to attract and retain our executives. The Compensation Committee assessed the independence of Aon and Semler Brossy considering the factors set forth in applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules and has concluded no conflicts of interest were raised by the work performed for the Compensation Committee. In 2024, Semler Brossy’s services included a review of the Company’s compensation program concerning the Chief Executive Officer and other members of management. In addition, Semler Brossy provided benchmark data and recommendations, including updates to the peer group for the Company’s 2025 compensation program. Semler Brossy also assisted with the Company’s analysis of its equity incentive plan, including the structure and types of awards granted thereunder.

Audit Committee

The principal purpose of the Audit Committee is to oversee the discharge of the responsibilities of the Board relating to the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of the Company’s financial statements, as well as any related matters required by the U.S. federal securities laws, as set forth in the Committee’s written charter. In 2024, the Board conducted a review of its committee charters and approved