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Brochure | March 23, 2022

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Codification System (NCS)

NATO Codification System Brochure thumbnail
NATO Codification System Brochure
NATO Codification System Brochure thumbnail
NATO Codification System Brochure
NATO Codification System Brochure
Photo By: Jason Cassing
VIRIN: 240119-D-RI745-0001

The Foundation of all Logistics Systems and the Cornerstone of NATO Logistics

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Codification System (NCS) is governed by the NATO Codification Allied Committee 135 (AC/135) and is composed of representatives from each NATO and partner nation along with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which is NATO's principal logistics support management agency.

The AC/135 provides and promotes the NCS as the primary means of Codification used by Armed Forces, Government, and Industry in support of interoperable and effective global logistics operations. Through Codification, AC/135 manages all aspects of classification, item identification, and NATO Stock Numbers for materiel used by NATO and Sponsored nations.

The primary goal of the NCS is to ensure that NATO and Partner nations military personnel deployed in an operational scenario can be assured of getting the right items to successfully complete their mission.

United States National Codification Bureau (NCB):

  • Serves as the U.S. NCB representative on the following groups: NATO AC/135's Main Group, Panel A, Budget and Strategic Planning Committee and Transformation Steering Working Group
  • Collaborates on NCS policy and procedure with AC/135 partner nations
  • Provides codification and liaison services for items produced by United States activities and AC/135 partner nations
  • Serves as the AC/135 representative at Federal Cataloging Commission (FCC) meetings to ensure communication on all aspects of cataloging and logistics, nationally and internationally
  • Assists nations with establishing Foreign Military Sales (FMS) cases for cataloging services and logistics data publications
  • Processes requests from the United States Military and civil agencies for assignment of foreign NSNs by other AC/135 partner nations

International Cataloging

How do I Get a National Stock Number or North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) (NSN) stock number?

  • The term National Stock Number and NATO Stock Number are synonymous or the same
  • Assigned by a National Codification Bureau (NCB)
  • A government to government function; only government agencies can request an NSN assignment

360° approach to Life Cycle Logistics

Customer Support:

DLA Customer Interaction Center
The DLA Customer Interaction Center (CIC) began servicing customers in 2009, with 315K contacts in 2017 leveraging technology to provide
world class customer service geared towards logistics and supply needs. The CIC provides solutions to the Armed Services, Federal Agencies, State and local governments, government contractors, allied foreign military and the general public.
Email:  dlacontactcenter@dla.mil
Web:  http://www.dla.mil/CustomerSupport.aspx

DLA Customer Analysis Report & Engagement Summary
The Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Analytics team stands ready to provide detailed reports regarding the nature of contacts made to the DLA Customer Interaction Center (CIC). Report data is tailored to assist senior leaders, trainers and Customer Support Representatives. If you would like to request a report, feel free to reach out to us at:
Email:   crmanalytics@dla.mil
Web: https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/CustomerOutreach/

U.S. National Codification Bureau (NCB)
U.S. NCB - A member of NATO Allied Committee/135 and the National Codification System. The U.S. representative at NATO planning/codification meetings on logistics information matters. Our Mission: To facilitate the exchange of logistics information between multinational defense forces in support of U.S. and NATO missions.
Email:   ncbus@dla.mil
Web: https://www.dla.mil/HQ/LogisticsOperations/Services/FIC/NATO/

NATO Codification System (NCS) College

A sample of the available training is available for interested parties; however, all countries should contact their home NCB first to confirm what training is available locally. Training Services Web: http://www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/main/links/training.htm 

Group of National Directors on Codification Contacts: https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/codification/ncbcollege/

NATO Codification System County Codes and NCS Code Chart
A complete listing of NCS nations that have been certified as being compliant with procedures is available in text or downloadable chart. The NCS chart illustrates NATO nations along with sponsored non-NATO nations.
Web: https://www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/main/links/codsp3.htm

Allied Committee 135 (AC/135)
The AC/135 provides participant Nations with a uniform NATO Codification System as the global reference standard for materiel identification, and as a key enabler to support NATO and multinational interoperability and harmonized logistic systems.
Web: http://www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/welcome.htm

Allied Codification Publications; NATO Manual on Codification
This publication sets out the principles, responsibilities, procedures, forms and general guidance on the operation of the NATO Codification System.
Web: www.nato.int/structur/AC/135/main/links/acodp1.htm

Logistics Applications - Acquisitions Products and Services

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DLA Customer Interaction Center (DLA CIC)

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Information Provided by Customer Engagement Branch J31CB: customeroutreach@dla.mil.