Counselor Top 40 supplier Next Level Apparel (asi/73867) has received Fair Labor Accreditation, following a rigorous multiyear review of the Torrance, CA-based company by the Fair Labor Association.

The FLA determined that Next Level’s business systems comply with international labor standards designed to protect workers in its global supply chains. Next Level sources apparel from 15 factories across seven countries.

“At Next Level Apparel, we know it’s never just about making a T-shirt,” said Brett Björkman, CEO of Next Level Apparel. “Behind every garment are people, factories and communities working incredibly hard to bring that product to life.”

The FLA said it was pleased to acknowledge the supplier’s efforts with accreditation. “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, FLA president and CEO. “The company’s initiatives on supply chain transparency and traceability demonstrate how companies and stakeholders can collaborate to advance common goals.”

Next Level Apparel first became an FLA member in 2019 and said it has worked continuously to improve its social compliance program and keep pace with changes to FLA standards enacted over the years. Highlights of Next Level’s accreditation report include a top-level commitment to supply chain responsibility and transparency. Under Björkman’s leadership, the company has invested in tools and partnerships to uphold its commitment to workers’ rights and ensure independent verification of those efforts.

The supplier also maintains channels for dialogue with its factories and vendors, allowing both parties to plan and execute the sourcing process successfully, including making adjustments in response to unexpected challenges. The open dialogue also allows the company to gather feedback in order to improve its own policies and procedures.

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

Björkman noted that Next Level’s Fair Labor Accreditation is important, but acknowledged that “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,” he added. “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.”

Next Level isn’t the only industry supplier to achieve Fair Labor Accreditation. Bella+Canvas (asi/39590) achieved accreditation in 2024. Counselor Top 40 suppliers Gildan (asi/56842) and SanMar (asi/84863) also have Fair Labor Accreditation, as does L2 Brands (asi/75402), according to the FLA website.

Next Level Apparel ranks eighth on Counselor’s most recent list of the top suppliers in the industry, with 2025 North American promotional products revenue of $270.2 million.

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