US unveils list of ethical yarn and fabric suppliers

Responsible Sourcing Network (RSN), a US non-profit, launched a publicly available list of suppliers participating in their Yarn Ethically & Sustainably Sourced (YESS) initiative.

YESS aims to eradicate forced labor in cotton production by training yarn manufacturers and assessing them against strict standards. This will help brands comply with regulations requiring supply chain due diligence.

While the list of participating mills is public, details of their assessments are only available to YESS members. Membership is open to various stakeholders, including brands, NGOs, and industry associations.

RSN partnered with Sumerra, an audit management company, to expand YESS globally. This collaboration will create a standardized approach to fighting forced labor in cotton supply chains.

According to Patricia Jurewicz, CEO of RSN and creator of YESS, the public list of responsible mills allows brands to support ethical cotton production.