Fair Labor Association awards Fair Labor Accreditation to Next Level Apparel

WASHINGTON, October 22, 2026 — The Fair Labor Association (FLA) announced today that its board of directors has voted to award Fair Labor Accreditation to Next Level Apparel, a producer and seller of premium, ethically sourced blank apparel based in Torrance, California.

The decision by the FLA board follows a rigorous, multi-year review of Next Level Apparel’s business systems for compliance with international labor standards designed to protect workers in its global supply chains. Next Level Apparel sources from 15 factories across seven countries.

“Next Level Apparel puts its commitment to workers’ rights into practice by implementing effective, sustainable systems to monitor and uphold those rights. The company’s initiatives on supply chain transparency and traceability demonstrate how companies and stakeholders can collaborate to advance common goals,” said FLA President and CEO Jeff Vockrodt. “We are pleased to acknowledge this effort by awarding Fair Labor Accreditation to Next Level Apparel.”

“At Next Level Apparel, we know it’s never just about making a T-shirt. Behind every garment are people, factories, and communities working incredibly hard to bring that product to life. We recognize the responsibility that comes with that, and we also recognize that doing the right thing isn’t always the easiest thing to do. We are committed to never settling, asking the right questions, making responsible decisions and doing our best to ensure the people and partners throughout our supply chain are treated fairly, that we operate compliantly, and that we remain conscious of the impact we have on the communities and environments around us,” said Brett Bjorkman, CEO of Next Level Apparel. “Our Fair Labor Accreditation is an important reflection of that commitment, but it isn’t a finish line. It’s another step in an ongoing responsibility to listen, learn, improve, and hold ourselves accountable, and we see that as an opportunity. Taking responsibility for how our products are made, the people behind them and the impact we have along the way is an important part of who we are and how we do business.”

Since becoming an FLA member in 2019, Next Level Apparel has continuously improved its social compliance program and kept pace with the changes to FLA standards enacted over the intervening years. The accreditation report details FLA’s evaluation of Next Level Apparel’s social compliance program through October 2026.

Highlights of Next Level Apparel’s Fair Labor Accreditation include:

• Top-level commitment: Next Level Apparel’s chief executive officer has set a companywide agenda of supply chain responsibility and transparency. He works closely with the leaders of key departments to implement purchasing practices and strategies that uphold the company’s commitments to workers’ rights. Under his leadership and with the oversight of the board of directors, the company has invested in tools and partnerships for cross-functional coordination, supply chain transparency, and independent verification.
• Supplier dialogue that informs program improvements: Next Level Apparel maintains several channels for two-way dialogue with its suppliers and factories. These channels allow both parties to plan and execute the sourcing process successfully, including making adjustments in response to unexpected challenges. They also allow the company to gather feedback from its suppliers, which it uses to improve its own policies and procedures. 

Fair Labor Accreditation is the gold standard for human rights due diligence in global supply chains. It helps investors, consumers, regulators, and ratings agencies make informed choices by evaluating a company’s business practices against the highest international labor standards.

A rigorous, multi-year process that evaluates companies’ systems to protect workers, it is the only comprehensive program of its kind that is based on international standards and frameworks such as the International Labour Organization, UN Guiding Principles, the OECD, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Fair Labor Accredited companies are evaluated on an ongoing basis and must demonstrate continuous improvement in addressing working conditions and protecting workers’ rights. To see a list of Fair Labor Accredited companies and to learn more, please visit www.fairlabor.org. 

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About the Fair Labor Association: The Fair Labor Association (FLA) promotes human rights at work. We are an international network of companies, universities, and labor and civil society organizations collaborating to ensure that millions of people working at the world’s factories and farms are paid fairly and protected from risks to their health, safety, and well-being. 

About Next Level Apparel: Next Level Apparel, a family-founded pioneer in blank apparel for decades, is now the leading wholesale producer and seller of premium blanks. Its craftsmanship and rigorous ethical sourcing—verified through leading programs such as the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, Oritain, Fair Labor Association, Altana, and Vertru—are made for movement and designed for timeless style. The company never compromises on quality for price, nor sacrifices customer service for scale, delivering the best return on investment for customers’ businesses and the best cost per wear for their end consumers. With multiple custom fabrics engineered for all printing and embellishing needs, Next Level Apparel delivers flawless fit, ultimate printability, and unmatched quality control, designing products to last, reducing waste, and ensuring customers’ brands get worn with pride for many years.

FLA MEDIA CONTACT: 
Stacy Hope
communications@fairlabor.org 

NEXT LEVEL APPAREL MEDIA CONTACT:
Bethany Willetts
bwilletts@blazepr.com