The Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) has released its new YESS Standard for Fabric Mills: Weaving & Knitting Operations Only and an updated version 2.0 YESS Standard for Spinning Mills.
- These standards are meant to assist fabric and spinning mills in due diligence efforts to reduce and ultimately eliminate forced labour involved in cotton production.
- The YESS (Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced) initiative aims to cultivate transparent and accountable supply chains and collaborative corporate engagement in the cotton sector.
- The YESS Standards, which are publicly available and can be freely downloaded, were released earlier this month.
The background: 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 US 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.
The standards: 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, the RSN developed a collection of resources and checklists as well as online and in-person training modules.
- The 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, the RSN concluded its YESS pilot in India, Pakistan and Malaysia, which contributed to the development of the standards.
- Qualified independent auditors were also trained on conducting YESS assessments.
- The RSN now plans to focus on training and building capacity with fabric and spinning mills, as well as laying out a plan to scale YESS assessments.
