YESS Implementation Working Group

To ensure the YESS initiative is integrated into the global textile industry after the YESS Pilot Project is complete, RSN is creating a multi-stakeholder YESS Implementation Working Group (IWG), which will be a parallel work stream to the YESS Pilot Assessment Group. 

The IWG will begin in Q2, 2021 and conclude with an Action Plan released Q2 2022. Periodic updates will be shared publicly with opportunities for providing feedback.

Objectives

  • Design an industry-wide program to enable and ensure spinners and mills prevent cotton produced with forced labor from entering their value chains.

  • Build support from stakeholders to achieve a harmonized approach to spinner and mill  engagement, assessment, and verification.

  • Create a due diligence system that is sustainable, scalable, and efficient.

Potential Participants

  • Brands and retailers

  • Spinners and textile mills

  • Regional and industry experts; audit firms

  • MSIs and NGOs

Sub-groups

  1. Forced Labor Determination / Farm-level Initiatives 

    • “Low-risk” and “high-risk” cotton determination

    • Methodology requirements for cotton acceptance

  2. Auditor Approval and Consistency 

    • Management and expansion of approved auditors

    • Driving consistent and high-quality assessments

  3. Facility Continuous Improvement

    • Training (remote and in-person), risk-readiness screen, on-boarding, tools and resources, technical advice, assessments

  4. Governance / Scaling / Collaboration

    • Leadership, coordination, efficiencies, transparency

    • Revenue structure, foundational support

  5. Technology / Data / Infrastructure

    • Data back-end, data access, e-learning, coordination with tech tools/production management

 

YESS MATERIALS