NATO Codification System
The NATO Codification System (NCS for short) is a Standardization Agreement approach to identify, classify, and number items of supply. This applies to repetitively used items and stocked (e.g., repair parts, equipment, food items, etc.). The System has been agreed upon by all signatories of the NATO and sponsored non-NATO nations for use in identifying equipment and supplies. The result is a unique identification and a data set that can be easily shared and understood by a wide range of users. The data set may be shared in the form of printed catalogs, online systems, electronic  data exchange, etc. Users include logisticians and manufacturers. The process of codification (or cataloging) involves naming, classifying, describing the item, and assigning of a 13 digit NATO Stock Number (or NSN). The system aids logistics processes, to include supply, purchasing, maintenance, warehousing, transportation, planning, etc. Further, it allows different organizations, even countries, to cooperate in providing logistics support to military, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and similar operations. NCS Documents. Five NATO Standardisation Agreements (STANAGs) build the structural basis for the system: NCS Basics. Unambiguous item identification in accordance with the STANAG 3151 standard. This identification takes place utilizing a NATO Stock  Number (NSN), which is composed of a 4-digit NATO Supply Classification Code, a 2-digit code for the National Codification Bureau (NCB) representing the country that codifies the item, and of a 7-digit non-significant number that is assigned by this NCB. Uniform System of Supply Classification in accordance with STANAG 3150. All material is classified into material groups and classes concerning its usage in logistics. Uniform System of Item Names in accordance with the H6 manual (Item Name Directory). Approximately 40,000 approved item names are used, covering all types of material. Item identification: Item of Supply. Item  of supply (IoS) is an item of production (part, article) which a responsible supply management authority has determined as being required to meet a specific logistics requirement. This part has to be defined in compliance with logistics needs (transport, usage, features, etc.) to meet all logistics requirements with the possibility of repeated usage. One item of supply may represent several items of production, for example, made by various producers, which do not have to be distinguished from the viewpoint of logistics requirements. NATO AC135 Sponsored Training. The NATO Allied Committee 135 governs accredited training on the NATO Codification System For  further information on NATO-sponsored training, contact the AC135 NATO Codification Secretary