YESS Standards Released: New Fabric Mill and Updated Spinning Mill

By Ella Beiser

As part of our initiative, YESS: Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced, RSN just released our new YESS Standard for Fabric Mills: Weaving & Knitting Operations Only and an updated version 2.0 YESS Standard for Spinning Mills . The YESS Standards are publicly available and can be downloaded here. The YESS initiative aims to cultivate transparent and accountable supply chains and collaborative corporate engagement in the cotton sector. These standards will assist fabric and spinning mills in due diligence efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate forced labor involved in cotton production.

The YESS Standards were developed with the support of  23 global brand and retailer sponsorships, a grant from the Fair Labor Association, and funding from the U.S. Department of Labor through the Verité Supply Chain Tracing and Engagement Methodologies (STREAMS) Project.

Support for version 1.0 of the YESS Standard for Spinning Mills was provided by The Walt Disney Company and Humanity United. 

Both Standards align with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains in the Garment and Footwear Sector (OECD Due Diligence Guidance). The OECD Due Diligence Guidance specifies that all enterprises, regardless of size, have a responsibility to carry out due diligence to avoid and address the potential and actual negative impacts of their activities and supply chains.

To assist fabric and spinning mills with conforming to the YESS Standards, RSN developed a robust collection of resources and checklists as well as online and in-person training modules. RSN also provides a  Conformance Continuum, which is a step-by-step approach to be followed by the mills in developing their due diligence management system over the course of three years. 

Both standards underwent public consultation prior to their publication and the final versions of the standards and training materials incorporated applicable feedback. 

Earlier this year RSN concluded its YESS pilot in India, Pakistan, and Malaysia, which contributed to the development of the standards and confirmed that the fabric and spinning mills were capable of conforming to the YESS Standards. Additionally, qualified independent auditors were trained on conducting YESS assessments.

Next, RSN will turn its focus to training and building capacity with fabric and spinning mills, as well as laying out a plan to scale YESS assessments and socialize due diligence throughout the apparel and home goods industry. RSN invites industry stakeholders to be in touch if there is interest in participating in the YESS initiative.