The Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN) has launched its first cohort of multi-stakeholder members for YESS(Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced), marking a milestone in advancing transparency and accountability in textile sourcing. This shift to a membership model, introduced last year, enables deeper engagement in the industry to address forced labor and strengthen supply chain due diligence.

YESS’s inaugural brand members feature industry giants such as Adidas, Fanatics Apparel, Inditex, The Walt Disney Company, and Walmart Inc, all committed to reinforcing ethical practices within yarn sourcing. These companies are now actively collaborating with mills at various levels to enhance sustainability initiatives. Participating spinning and fabric mills gain access to YESS assessments and specialized training, building capacity for responsible sourcing and improved due diligence.

The program is set against the backdrop of evolving regulations like the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), which calls on companies to enforce human rights and environmental safeguards across their supply chains. Kristen Albertson, Walmart’s VP of Responsible Sourcing, highlighted the significance of collective action to protect worker welfare, with YESS serving as a vehicle for transparency and risk management.

Initial mill members, including Nishat Mills, Raymond Denim, Shahi Exports, and Sree Santhosh Garments, will be featured on the YESS Participating Mills list, accessible to members only. Civil society organizations, academic institutions, and associations, including the US Fashion Industry Association (USFIA) and Verite, also play vital roles in the initiative. Julia Hughes, USFIA president, emphasized the importance of accountability across the cotton supply chain, aligning YESS’s approach with laws targeting forced labor.

To expand globally, YESS will leverage e-learning platforms and international auditors. Management company Sumerra will oversee assessments in countries like Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, with auditing conducted by ARCHE Advisors, ASSESS International, and TUV Rheinland.

By uniting brands, mills, and civil organizations, YESS aims to create a cohesive, effective due diligence framework to combat forced labor in cotton production, promoting sustainable and ethical practices industry-wide.