The Introduction document along with the YESS Standard for Spinning Mills (v2.0) provide the foundation for the YESS initiative. They are a specific, practical framework to assess the operations and sourcing procedures of cotton yarn spinning mills, and weaving and knitting cotton fabric mills. They are a guide for mills to identify, assess, and address the risk of forced labor involved in cotton production.

These documents were developed with input from brands and retailers, spinning and fabric mills, industry associations, civil society organizations, and labor experts. Overviews are available for feedback provided during a public-consultation process for the YESS Standard for Fabric Mills and the material changes that occurred between versions 1.0 and 2.0 of the YESS Standard for Spinning Mills.

The Introduction to the YESS Standards is applicable to both standards and presents a short overview of the YESS risk-based approach, describes the flow of the standards per the OECD due diligence framework, and provides a recommended timeline to meet th YESS conformance requirements.