Next Level Apparel (NLA) has joined the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, the company announced on Tuesday, marking a major step in its effort to provide verifiable data for its global supply chain.
The partnership allows the California-based blank apparel leader to track its cotton from the field to the finished garment. This move addresses the rising demand from wholesale and retail customers for concrete proof of sustainable practices rather than vague corporate claims.
Next Level Apparel CEO Brett Bjorkman said the membership enables the company to independently verify the environmental footprint of its raw materials. He noted that the program provides the transparency required to meet modern global standards for continuous improvement.
Also Read: ReTuna Återbruksgalleria: revolutionary recycling mall redefining sustainable shopping
Through the Trust Protocol, NLA will gain access to field-level data across six key metrics, including greenhouse gas emissions, water management, and soil health. The program uses a digital tracking system to provide a transparent map of the cotton’s journey, which is critical for compliance with emerging international ESG regulations.
The membership is part of a broader “layered” sourcing strategy for NLA. The company already utilizes forensic science from Oritain to verify fiber origin and partners with TrusTrace for digital supply chain mapping. It also maintains affiliations with the Fair Labor Association to ensure ethical labor practices.
U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol President Gary Adams welcomed the move, stating that NLA’s focus on supply chain integrity aligns with the mission to provide data-driven insights for high-performance apparel.
