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IMPACT REPORT

WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL IMPACT REPORT

In 2017, we embarked on a journey to become a conscious company, dedicated to supporting our clients beyond product development and making impactful decisions towards sustainability. This impact report provides an overview of our efforts and the driving force behind our commitment to sustainability and responsibility.

a better future for people, planet and profit.

Dear Partners,

I'm thrilled to share bbase's inaugural annual Impact Report, capturing our ongoing journey toward responsibility and sustainability in the eyewear industry.

As I reflect on our 20-year legacy, I'm inspired by our accomplishments and eager to share our journey with you.

Our commitment to sustainability and responsibility shines through in our initiatives. Over the years, we've embarked on numerous endeavors that highlight our progress and set the stage for our future.

In 2020, we established incubbase, a hub of curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. We've launched educational programs with international universities to nurture talent and foster the next generation of eyewear designers.

2021 saw the opening of our bbLAB, our in-house 3D printing facility in Hong Kong, aimed at increasing efficiency and tackling waste management. To augment our mission, in 2022, we introduced bbverse a virtual showroom platform which pioneering digital solutions for eyewear product development and reduce our carbon emissions.

One of our most significant initiatives has been the development and implementation of the bow Responsible Materials Index for Eyewear. Published to address the global plastics crisis and the complexities around sustainability in the fashion industry, the bow Index is the first comparative materials index of its kind for the eyewear sector. This tool enables our partners to make informed decisions about the recycled and bio-based materials available to them and it reflects our pursuit of transparency in the supply chain.

Along with this, our Sustainability Committee, made up of diverse leaders from our business, continue to highlight the importance of our Corporate Social Responsibility mission, along with finding better solutions that increase sustainability in our business, including responsible transit packaging, developing take-back programs and growing our materials index.

While we celebrate these milestones, we acknowledge there's still so much to be done. The challenges facing the eyewear industry and the global environment are substantial. Yet, we remain steadfast in our dedication to confronting these issues head-on with our community. Our journey toward responsibility and circularity is ongoing, and we are committed to making an impact.

In the following pages of this report, you'll find details on the progress of these initiatives and how we're changing the industry in collaboration with several key organisations. I invite you to read and share in our vision for a more responsible and sustainable future in eyewear.

With gratitude,

Jo-Black, CEO & Co-Founder

DESIGNING FUTURE FORWARD EYEWEAR

Our ﬁrst ever impact report summarises our sustainability eﬀorts at bbase Design Group (“bbase” or “we” or “our” or “us”) from 2022 to 2023. In this report, we share our impact strategy and outline our progress against publicly stated goals and progress that are related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) topics across the 4 C’s of impact: Circularity, Commercial, Collaboration, Carbon Neutral

• we bring opportunities for circularity in our industry.

• we work with raw material suppliers that support circularity to strengthen circular initiatives within our business.

Aligned with the Paris Agreement, bbase's 4 C’s enable us to make informed and responsible decisions when selecting and executing diﬀerent initiatives.

• we enable our community to showcase sustainable innovations through collaboration.

• we launch initiatives that bring together community partners that amplify our likeminded missions.

• we believe that true sustainability supports and celebrates solutions for value driven business.

• we make business decisions that support growth for our manufacturing partners and value both environmental and business impact to responsibly deliver profit.

• we support and promote positive steps towards the reduction of carbon emissions.

• we explore opportunities for new processes that result in emission reduction like less air shipping.

This report covers how our sustainability plans affect and influence our business operations.

We aim to communicate to all stakeholders our short and long-term sustainability strategies at bbase. As our business evolves, we continuously assess our reporting scope and approach.

(GRI 2-1, required)

Scope of the report:

Data in this report are taken from:

• bbase Headquarters in Hong Kong

• bbase US oﬃce in New York

• bbase European oﬃce in Barcelona

• HS and DG factories based out of China that contribute to 90+% of our production

Reporting period: January 2022 to December 2023.

This is our ﬁrst impact report.

(GRI 2-3, required)

Reporting standard: bbase is working towards reporting to GRI standards. Learn more about the GRI Reporting standards here.

If you have any feedback, please send message at: cristinakountiou@bbase.com.hk

(GRI 2-3, required)

Connect with us https://bbase.com.hk/

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20+ years

looking at the world through a global lens

10+ million

delivering 10M units annually of market-targeted and trend-led bespoke eyewear

9 locations

expanding across USA, Asia and Europe with offices in Hong Kong, New York, London, Barcelona, China and Singapore

65 countries

partnering with global retailers and fashion brands in over 65 countries

80+ professionals

driving 360 support for clients. from design to production, we execute with excellence.

bbase is dedicated to promoting sustainable development and has chosen to align its core values with the United Nations SDGs. Around 45% of our clients have a shared commitment to align with the United Nations’ Carbon Emission Reduction goals and we continue working to further elevate this percentage.

decent work and economic growth

We prioritise meaningful and fair employment opportunities. By collaborating with skilled artisans and manufacturers, we ensure that our supply chain upholds ethical labour practices and supports decent work conditions which contributes to economic growth and stability.

9 industry, innovation and infrastructure

With cutting-edge technologies and sustainable production processes, we contribute to the evolution of the eyewear industry. Our focus on innovation pushes the boundaries of sustainable design.

12 responsible consumption and production

13 climate action

17 partnerships for the goals

At bbase, we craft durable, high-quality eyewear and promote sustainable materials and consumption patterns. We recognise the importance of mitigating our carbon footprint and to minimise environmental harm. Through innovation and technology we have come up with solutions to reduce our environmental impact by going digital and creating virtual showrooms to reduce our carbon emissions. We actively engage with stakeholders, industry experts, and organisations to strengthen our impact. Our commitment to transparent collaboration strengthens our ability to drive sustainable change.

started our commitment to responsible materials

converted 100% of our sample polybags into biodegradable material

offered 25 recycled and biodegradable materials to clients, including BpA free and bio acetate materials

introduced deeper R&D with manufacturing partners for responsible sourcing of materials, including certifications, amplifying our transparency

launched rapid sampling program to clients

launched the bow Index, an industry-first tool for sustainable eyewear materials

launched incubbase pilot program

expanded to Singapore to grow our sustainability community

launched 1st sustainable eyewear design competition in Asia

won ISCC+ certification

launched bb_LAB, our in-house 3D printing workshop

sustainable transit packaging bbase digital platforms reduce sampling and waste