By: Aidan Kelly

At Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN), our mission is to champion human rights and end forced labor in raw material supply chains. Through our initiative, YESS: Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced, we partner directly with spinning and fabric mills - critical links between cotton fields and finished products - to build responsible sourcing practices, implement a risk-based due diligence approach, and address harm.

Our goal for this year was to double the number of mills participating with YESS - we’re proud to announce we have quadrupled our mill membership this year, with 35 mills now participating in YESS.

“Quadrupling the number of mills in the YESS program is more than just growth—it’s momentum,” said Patricia Jurewicz, RSN CEO and creator of YESS. “It shows that mills are not only ready, but eager to embrace a future where responsible sourcing and human rights are at the heart of global value chains. I want to thank the mills for their courage in being some of the first to start on the due diligence path. I also want to thank the RSN & YESS staff for all their efforts providing the needed resources for the mills' success, and Sumerra for partnering with us as we grow. By working together, we are proving that transformation at scale is possible.”

With mills now located in 7 countries, every fabric or spinning mill that joins YESS strengthens the momentum toward a future where forced labor is eliminated from cotton supply chains, and where transparency is no longer optional but expected.

The YESS approach is one that is focused on partnership, capacity building, and supporting the mills to implement robust due diligence systems.

We’re excited to keep building on this momentum with our partners, brands, civil society, and supporters.

Would you like to join YESS and see how we can work together to implement due diligence in your cotton value chain and meet evolving regulatory requirements?

We quadrupled mill membership in one year, YESS is now 35 mills strong!