Published: January 6, 2026 · Last updated: September 2026
MEMPHIS, TN (Jan. 6, 2026) – The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol today announced that Next Level Apparel, a family-founded leader in premium blank apparel, has joined the program as its newest brand and retailer member. The membership adds independently verified data and end-to-end traceability to Next Level Apparel’s responsible business program that already includes Oritain and the Fair Labor Association. This strengthens Next Level Apparel's position as a source of ethically produced, wholesale apparel for decorators, brands, and retailers.
- Announcement date: January 6, 2026
- Program: U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the voluntary field-level sustainability and traceability program for U.S. Cotton
- What's verified: Soil health, water use, nutrient management, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, land use efficiency, and soil carbon
- Verification method: Independent third-party verifications of farms and data related to practices and environmental outcomes, plus a digitally enabled tracking system across the full supply chain
- Other programs in NLA's sustainability stack: Oritain (origin verification), Fair Labor Association (labor standards)
What the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Verifies
The Trust Protocol is the voluntary field-level sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. Cotton. It measures continuous improvement across six sustainability indicators: land use efficiency, soil health, water management, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon. A digitally enabled tracking system provides supply chain transparency from fiber to finished apparel, and farm-level data is used to measure and verify environmental impact.
For Next Level Apparel, the program adds a layer of independently verified, field-level environmental data behind the U.S. cotton it sources, backing the company's responsible business commitments with third-party measurement rather than a self-declared claim.
Why This Matters for Wholesale Buyers and Decorators
Decorators, brands, and retailers are increasingly being asked by their own end customers to prove the product they sell has been responsibly manufactured/sourced. Membership in the Trust Protocol gives NLA customers something they can actually use:
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A verified sourcing story to market to end consumers: not a vague "made sustainably" claim, but a third-party-verified one tied to specific environmental metrics.
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Audit-ready documentation: useful when responding to RFPs from retailers, universities, corporates, or government buyers with sustainability requirements.
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Supply chain transparency from fiber to finished garment: Next Level Apparel combines Trust Protocol data and traceability with Oritain (origin verification) and Altana and Vertru to confirm where the cotton was grown and how it moved through the supply chain.
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A cleaner answer to "is this organic?": the Trust Protocol is a farm-level, science-based program that drives continuous improvement across six key sustainability metrics and provides full supply chain traceability, not an organic certification. For decorators whose customers ask about both, this gives a precise, defensible answer.
Leadership on Sustainable Cotton Sourcing
"Responsible sourcing has always been central to Next Level Apparel's business. By participating in the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, we can independently verify the sustainability credentials of the cotton we source and ensure our products reflect our commitment to transparency and continuous improvement."
Brett Bjorkman, CEO, Next Level Apparel
"We welcome Next Level Apparel to the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, which will help further strengthen our collective commitment to transparent and sustainable sourcing. Their proactive stance on responsible sourcing, particularly their focus on U.S. Cotton and supply chain integrity, aligns closely with our mission. This membership will equip Next Level Apparel with the data-driven insights needed to help meet the increasing global demand for sustainably produced cotton in high-performance apparel."
Gary Adams, President, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
How This Fits Into Next Level Apparel's Sustainability Stack
Trust Protocol membership is the newest layer in an existing system, not a stand-alone claim. The company pairs it with three other independent programs, each verifying a different part of the supply chain:
| Program | What it verifies | Where it sits in the supply chain | Why it matters to buyers |
| U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol | Environmental sustainability across six indicators | Tracked cotton from farm to garment | Supply chain tracking and transparency |
| Oritain | Geographic origin of cotton fibers | Raw fiber | Proves cotton actually comes from where NLA says it does |
| Fair Labor Association | Labor standards and worker welfare | Manufacturing facilities | Ensures the people making the apparel are treated fairly |
Together, these four programs cover the where, the how, the who, and the chain-of-custody behind every Next Level Apparel garment.
Build Your Brand on Verified Sustainable Blanks
Decorators, retailers, and brand owners looking to source ethically produced, traceable blank apparel can explore the full line of NLA sustainable wholesale apparel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Next Level Apparel t-shirts organic?
NLA currently does not offer t-shirts made with organic cotton Instead, the company commits to sourcing its U.S. Cotton as verified through the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol farm-level, science-based program, which measures continuous improvement across soil health, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, land use efficiency, and soil carbon. For buyers asking about organic cotton t shirts wholesale, the Sustainable Collection is the closest match.
What is the difference between U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol and organic cotton certification?
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a farm-level sustainability verification program and traceability platform that measures continuous improvement across six environmental indicators (land use, soil health, water, energy, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon). Organic cotton certification (USDA NOP, GOTS, or OCS) is a separate standard that prohibits synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and genetically modified seed.
Organic certification begins at the farm level and can extend through the supply chain, though the scope varies by standard: USDA's National Organic Program certifies agricultural production and handling but does not cover textile processing steps like dyeing, finishing, and assembly, so a garment made from certified organic cotton fibers generally cannot be labeled "USDA organic" unless it also meets NOP's handling standards for processed products.
The Trust Protocol focuses on verified environmental performance and supply chain traceability across U.S. Cotton; organic certification focuses on permitted inputs and, under standards like GOTS, processing across the supply chain. The two are complementary but not interchangeable.
What is the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol?
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is a voluntary farm-level sustainability program and traceability platform for U.S. Cotton. It uses independent third-party verification and a digitally enabled tracking system to measure cotton growers' performance across six sustainability indicators: land use efficiency, soil health, water management, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil carbon.
How does Next Level Apparel verify its cotton sourcing?
The company verifies its cotton sourcing and production through a layered system. U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol membership provides access to verified environmental performance metrics at the farm level. Oritain uses forensic origin testing to confirm where fibers were grown. Altana documents chain-of-custody across the full supply chain. The Fair Labor Association verifies labor standards in manufacturing facilities.
Where can I buy sustainable wholesale apparel from Next Level?
Sustainable styles are available through NLA's authorized wholesale distributors and direct via the Sustainable Collection. For brand and retailer inquiries, contact Sales@nextlevelapparel.com.
About the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol
The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol is the voluntary sustainability program for U.S. cotton growers and a traceability platform for all U.S. Cotton. It brings quantifiable, verifiable goals and measurements to responsible cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability areas: land use efficiency, water use efficiency, energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, soil conservation, and soil carbon. Progress is underpinned and verified through sophisticated data collection and independent third-party verification. Learn more at TrustUSCotton.org.
About Next Level Apparel
Next Level Apparel is a family-founded leader and the number one wholesale producer and seller of premium blank apparel. Inspired by high-end activewear, its craftsmanship and rigorous ethical sourcing, verified through leading programs including the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the Fair Labor Association, and Oritain, are made for movement and designed for timeless style. With custom fabrics engineered for all printing and embellishing needs, the company delivers flawless fit, ultimate printability, and unmatched quality control, designing products to last so customers' brands get worn with pride for years.
Media Contact
Next Level Apparel, contact us today to learn more, sales@nextlevelapparel.com, (310) 631-4955