TORRANCE, Calif. — Next Level Apparel has earned Fair Labor Accreditation from the Fair Labor Association (FLA), recognizing the company’s efforts to implement responsible labor practices and strengthen worker protections throughout its global supply chain.
The accreditation, announced Oct. 22, follows a multiyear evaluation of Next Level Apparel’s business systems and their alignment with international labor standards. The company’s sourcing network includes 15 factories across seven countries.
The FLA’s board of directors voted to award the accreditation following its assessment of the company’s social compliance program, which has continued to develop since Next Level Apparel joined the organization in 2019.
Recognizing Supply Chain Transparency and Worker Protections
Fair Labor Accreditation evaluates companies’ systems for protecting workers’ rights and promoting responsible business practices across global supply chains.
The evaluation draws on internationally recognized labor standards and frameworks, including those established by the International Labour Organization, the United Nations and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.
According to the FLA, Next Level Apparel demonstrated a companywide commitment to supply chain responsibility, transparency and accountability.
The organization highlighted the company’s investments in cross-functional coordination, supplier engagement, independent verification and responsible purchasing practices.
“Next Level Apparel puts its commitment to workers’ rights into practice by implementing effective, sustainable systems to monitor and uphold those rights,” said Jeff Vockrodt, president and CEO of the Fair Labor Association. “The company’s initiatives on supply chain transparency and traceability demonstrate how companies and stakeholders can collaborate to advance common goals.”
Next Level Apparel Emphasizes Continued Improvement
Next Level Apparel CEO Brett Bjorkman said the accreditation reflects the company’s responsibility to the people and communities involved in producing its garments.
“At Next Level Apparel, we know it’s never just about making a T-shirt,” Bjorkman said. “Behind every garment are people, factories, and communities working incredibly hard to bring that product to life.”
Bjorkman emphasized that the recognition represents an ongoing commitment rather than the completion of the company’s work toward responsible sourcing.
“Our Fair Labor Accreditation is an important reflection of that commitment, but it isn’t a finish line,” he said. “It’s another step in an ongoing responsibility to listen, learn, improve, and hold ourselves accountable, and we see that as an opportunity.”
The FLA also highlighted Next Level Apparel’s supplier communication practices, which allow the company to gather feedback from manufacturing partners and make adjustments to sourcing procedures when necessary.
What the Accreditation Means for Apparel Decorators
For screen printers, embroiderers and other apparel decorators, supplier sourcing practices can be an important consideration when selecting blank garments for customers.
Businesses serving corporate clients, organizations and brands with responsible sourcing requirements may look for suppliers that participate in independent labor accountability programs.
Fair Labor Accreditation provides an additional reference point for evaluating Next Level Apparel’s approach to supply chain oversight and worker protections.
Accredited companies remain subject to ongoing evaluations and must demonstrate continued improvement in addressing working conditions and protecting workers’ rights.
The FLA’s Next Level Apparel accreditation assessment details the organization’s evaluation of the company’s social compliance program through October 2026.
For more information, visit Next Level Apparel or the Fair Labor Association.
