A: Codification is the process of assigning a codification designation in the NATO codification system and the national codification system so that the identification, classification, naming and description of a material asset ensures uniqueness. The codification designation consists of the numerical part of the designation, the description of the material asset and the unit of measure. Codification is the universal language of military logistics, which overcomes language barriers, enabling unhindered mutual understanding between manufacturers and suppliers with the armed forces, but also mutual interstate understanding of defense systems and their armed forces.

Q: What are the goals and purposes of codification?

A: The purpose and purpose of codification is to provide data on material assets from suppliers who provide the defense system with the necessary information for managing the life cycle of the material asset in order to enable the harmonization of logistical communication, data exchange and interoperability, as a result of which greater efficiency of the logistics and supply chain management system is achieved.

Q: What is the difference between Croatian and NATO codification?

A: The contemporary National Codification System of the Republic of Croatia is based on the provisions and values of the NATO codification system. However, given the legacy of the previous codification system and the use of a different approach (the so-called nomenclature designations), it was necessary to create a national framework that would respect the specifics of Croatian needs during the introduction of the provisions of NATO codification. It is necessary to emphasize that in their essence they do not differ significantly, but they enable logistical management according to the national needs of the Republic of Croatia.

Q: Who can I contact with questions related to codification?

A: The role of the National Codification Bureau of the Republic of Croatia (NCB) is fulfilled by the Codification Section of the Armaments Directorate of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia.

Private businesses questions, related to the codification of weapons and military equipment and other material resources for the needs of the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Armed Forces, should be directed to the official email address of the NCB ncbcr@morh.hr.

Media inquiries should be directed to the official email address of the relevant organizational unit of the Ministry of Defense press@morh.hr.

Citizen inquiries should be directed to the official email address of the relevant organizational unit of the Ministry of Defense gradjani@morh.hr.

Q: What do I need to do to have my craft, company, establishment or institution assigned the NCAGE code?

A: The purpose of the NCAGE code in international trade is to enable private and legal economic entities and state institutions to participate in NATO procurement procedures and international defense tenders. In logistics and the supply chain, it is used to identify suppliers in a wide range of logistics processes, such as codification, standardization and procurement. NCAGE is essential as a unique identifier for suppliers, vendors and service providers throughout the logistics chain. It is issued upon request to private and legal entities and government institutions involved in logistics and international defense projects, procurement procedures, tenders for support and the like, when possession of NCAGE is a condition. It is used to identify suppliers, facilitate procurement and simplify communication with government and defense agencies. More information on the NCAGE application process can be found at the following link.

Q: How can my products obtain an NSN?

A: The NATO Codification System (NCS) defines unique NATO Stock Numbers (NSN) for material assets based on the “one item – one number” principle and enables efficient use of resources and interoperability capabilities for the needs of national and multinational logistics management systems. The NATO Codification Number, or NSN, is a 13-digit numerical code that identifies all standardized material assets in a manner recognized by all NATO countries.

The NSN is used in all countries that are members of the NATO alliance. However, some countries that use NSN are not members of the NATO. Manufacturers or suppliers cannot directly request the issuance of an NSN. In order for a material asset to receive an NSN, an authorized government agency of the country that procures the asset must determine the need for the asset and submit a formal request for the issuance of an NSN to the National Codification Bureau (NCB) of the country in which the asset was manufactured or from which it is procured. The NCB of the country from which the asset is procured processes the request and, if approved, assigns the NSN.

Q: Should my products receive the National Codification Designation of the Republic of Croatia and how?

A: The codification designation of the Croatian National Codification System is assigned by the National Codification Bureau of the Republic of Croatia (NCB) for those material assets that are introduced in the Ministry of Defense (MOD) and the Croatian Armed Forces (CAF), at the request of the organizational unit of the MOD or the CAF that is the technical lead in the procurement process of that asset. Manufacturers and suppliers of material assets that are introduced into use in the MOD and CAF must, in addition to other prescribed documentation, submit all the necessary documentation needed to implement the codification process during the procurement process. The prescribed documentation is defined by the Codification Clause, which is an integral part of the contract or agreement between the manufacturer/supplier and the MOD. The text of the Codification Clause can be obtained as part of the regular procedure for implementing the procurement procedures for material assets. You can read more about the Codification Clause under the following link.

Objava Q&A Codification pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Act on Technical Requirements for Products and Conformity Assessment (Official Gazette, No. 126/2021 )– unofficial translation

Ordinance on the Codification of Weapons and Military Equipment (Official Gazette, No. 139/2020 and 2/2022) – unofficial translation.

The Allied Codification Publication No. 1 – NATO Manual on Codification (ACodP-1)

STANAG 3150 Codification – Uniform System of Supply Classification
STANAG 3151 Codification – Uniform System of Item Identification
STANAG 4177 Codification – Uniform System of Data Acquisition
STANAG 4199 Codification – Uniform System of Exchange of Materiel Management Data
STANAG 4438 Codification – Uniform System of Dissemination of Data Associated with NATO Stock Numbers (NSN)

Note: STANAG documents have been designated by NATO as NATO UNCLASSIFIED, which means that they are official documents that belong to NATO and although they are not classified, they are not intended publicly available and can only be used for official purposes.

Objava Laws & Regulations pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The NSK is prescribed by the Ordinance on the Codification of Weapons and Military Equipment (Official Gazette, No. 139/2020 and 2/2022), and the rules of the NCS are prescribed by the Codification Manual ACodP-1 of the Group of National Directors for the Codification of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization AC/135.

The codification process is carried out for the purpose of consistent, correct, regulated and efficient introduction of a new NVO/MS into the MORH and the OSRH, as well as efficient management throughout the entire logistical and life cycle of the NVO/MS.

A private or legal person who is a manufacturer or supplier of NVO/MS, or a service provider (hereinafter: Seller) for the needs of the MORH and OSRH, must have, in addition to other obligations defined by contract or agreement, a NCAGE (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) code.

The Seller is obliged to submit to the National Codification Office of the Republic of Croatia (hereinafter: NUK), before the delivery of the first NVO/MS: Documentation on the Codification Data of NVO/MS (hereinafter: DKP), a proposal for a list of spare parts for the codification of NVO/MS with the associated DKP (hereinafter: PPDK) and relevant barcodes for NVO/MS.

The Seller shall, before the delivery of the first NVO/MS, submit the DKP and PPDK, including following data:

a) For NVO/MS for which NATO stock numbers (hereinafter referred to as: NSN) are available for all fixed assets and spare parts of NVO/MS that are the subject of the contract or agreement:

1. NSN;
2. Item name – original name of NVO/MS;
3. Seller’s reference number (part number + NCAGE);
4. Reference number of the original manufacturer or design control body (part number + NCAGE);
5. Standardization body and standard designation for standardized parts;
6. Type of batch (NVO/MS with shelf life, ammunition, etc.);
7. Gross weight;
8. Net weight;
9. Weight unit;
10. Volume;
11. Volume unit;
12. Dimensions (length x width x height);
13. Quantity of packaging;
14. DOT nomenclature (ammunition data);
15. Hazard class (ammunition data);
16. Packaging data (ammunition data);
17. Type of cartridge grouping (ammunition data);
18. Type and model of link (rod – ammunition data);
19. Information on which weapon the NVO/MS is designed for (ammunition data).

b) For NVO/MS that do not have an NSN, technical documentation (drawings, schemes and other pictorial representations) detailing the product and containing the following information:

1. Physical properties (material, dimensions, tolerances);
2. Functional and operational characteristics (speed, carrying capacity, load);
3. Electrical and/or electronic characteristics;
4. Complete technical description including specifications, national and international standards and other documentation necessary for the identification of the NVO/MS;
5. Drawings, especially for modified NVO/MS,
6. Trade name or established name of NVO/MS;
7. Manufacturer’s unique barcode;
8. Installation requirements;
9. Special features that contributed to the uniqueness of the NVO/MS;
10. Application within the finished item.

c) Supplement to the DKP and PPDK, if upon receipt the NUK assesses that the submitted data is incomplete, unclear, insufficient or unacceptable.

The Seller must submit above data of the DKP and PPDK in the form of an electronic file or a link to an internet address or a link to an electronic file containing technical data about the product and its original manufacturer. The electronic file must be in a computer image format with a resolution that allows a clear overview of the content or in PDF format. If it is not possible to submit an electronic file or internet link, the accuracy of the data necessary for the descriptive identification and codification of the NVO/MS must be proven in another way.

The reliable and timely delivery of the DKP and PPDK will be confirmed by signing the appropriate Record on the Reliable and Timely Delivery of the DKP and PPDK between the Seller and the NUK, and at the latest before the delivery of the first NVO/MS.

If the Seller fails to submit the Record on the Reliable and Timely Delivery of the DKP and PPDK, the NVO/MS that are the subject of the agreement, i.e. the contract, will not be taken over by the MORH and the OSRH.

After the successful delivery of the NVO/MS, the Seller is obliged to immediately, without delay, submit in writing to the NUK information about all corrections that result in changes in relation to the already submitted DKP and PPDK. In the same way, the Seller will inform the NUK about all data changes related to the producer, as well as in the event that the producer loses the ability to produce NVO/MS that are the subject of the agreement or the contract.

The NUK is responsible for interpretation of the content and answers to questions related to the National Codification System and related requirements. All requests for interpretation of the content and questions must be submitted to the official NUK email address: ncbcr@morh.hr.

Objava Codification Clause pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

Manufacturers or suppliers cannot directly request the issuance of an NSN.

In order for an asset to receive an NSN, an authorized government institution of the country procuring the asset must determine the need for it and submit a formal request for the issuance of an NSN from the National Codification Bureau (NCB) of the country in which the asset is manufactured or from which it is procured. The NCB of the country from which the asset is acquired processes the request and, if approved, assigns an NSN.

Description of the NSN issuance procedure using an example:

Step 1: A company based in the Republic of Croatia has a contract to sell material assets to the armed forces (AF) of a NATO member or a sponsored non-member in the Tier 2.

Step 2: The AF of a NATO member or sponsored non-member in the Tier 2 cooperates with its national NCB to carry out the codification procedure for the assets it purchases from the Croatian company.

Step 3. The NCB of a NATO member or sponsored non-member in the Tier 2 sends the request for NSN allocation to the Croatian NCB together with all relevant data.

Step 4. The Croatian company submits all necessary technical data to the Croatian NCB, which carries out the codification and forwards the codification data to the NCB of the NATO member or sponsored non-member in the Tier 2.

Notes: The obligation to submit the necessary technical documentation and data by the manufacturer and/or supplier is regulated by the Codification Clause in accordance with the STANAG 4177. Tier 2 countries have a codification system that is certified as fully compliant with the NCS. Tier 2 is characterized by two-way data exchange and participation in the technical management of the NCS. NATO members and Tier 2 countries are equal in terms of rights and obligations within the framework of the AC/135 codification processes. A table listing all countries participating in AC/135 (NATO, Tier 2 and Tier 1) with national code codes, national codification office codes and the national NCAGE template can be viewed under the following link.

Technical documentation and data required for issuing an NSN

For weapons and military equipment and other material assets (NVO/MS), which do not have an assigned NSN, according to the requirements of the Croatian National Codification System, it is necessary to submit technical documentation (drawings, diagrams and other pictorial representations), which show the product in detail and which contain the following data:

• Physical characteristics (material, dimensions, tolerances);
• Functional and operational characteristics (speed, load capacity, load);
• Electrical and/or electronic characteristics;
• Full technical description including specifications, national and international standards and other documentation necessary for the identification of the NVO/MS;
• Drawings, especially for modified NVO/MS,
• Trade name or established name of the NVO/MS;
• Unique barcode of the manufacturer;
• Assembly requirements;
• Special features that contributed to the uniqueness of the NVO/MS;
• Application within the finished item.

Note: Certain details of the scope and content of technical documentation and data required for the issuance of an NSN may vary between countries, and may also depend on the specificities of individual assets. It is always necessary to consistently follow the requirements, which are contractually or agreed upon, i.e., those defined in the Codification Clause of the agreement or contract.

Objava NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs) pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

The NCS defines unique NATO Stock Numbers (NSN) for resources, based on the principle of “one item – one number” and enables the efficient use of resources and interoperable capabilities for the needs of national and multinational logistics management systems.

The purpose of the NCS is to provide members of the armed forces with the right assets, at the right time, in the right place in order to successfully carry out the assigned tasks.

The NATO Codification System is managed and run by a NATO Cadre Group consisting of the National Directors on Codification Allied Committee 135 (AC/135). This group, which is under the authority of the Conference of National Armament Directors (CNAD), is committed to increased effectiveness and efficiency of global logistics systems and operations for participating nations and to provide the bridge necessary to facilitate global logistics operations. The NCS is regulated by the provisions of the AC/135 Codification Manual (ACodP-1).

The Republic of Croatia has started with limited but continuous application of the NCS since the establishment of the National Codification Bureau in 2002. However, since 2009, with the accession of the Croatia to NATO, the NCS has gradually became the dominant codification framework compared to previous solutions. The culmination of the NCS integration process into the National Codification System was reached in 2020, when the Ordinance on the Codification of Weapons and Military Equipment (unofficial translation) was adopted.

On the basis of the aforementioned Ordinance, the NSN is awarded with the material resources of the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Armed Forces in accordance with the rules and procedures of the NCS. It is used in its unchanged form during its acceptance, as a national codification designation, in the logistics information system and material records of the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Armed Forces.

NATO Stock Number (NSN)

NATO Codification Designation, more precisely, NATO Stock Number (NSN) is a unique 13 digit Item of Supply identification number.

The NSN consists of three identifying parts:

• a 4-digit NATO Supply Classification Code (NSC), also known as “Group and Class” that categorizes the Item,
• a 2-digit Nation Code (NC) stating the country of origin,
• a 7-digit Item Identification Number (IIN), Together, the NC and IIN form the NATO Item Identification Number (NIIN).

Objava NATO Codification System pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

IDENTIFICATION is a procedure in implementing the codification process that defines the characteristics necessary for identifying an asset and represents the necessary data that determines its basic characteristics, i.e. those characteristics that give the asset its unique character and make it different from any other.

CODIFICATION is the procedure for assigning a codification designation in the NATO codification system and the national codification system so that the identification, classification, naming and description of the asset ensures uniqueness. The codification designation consists of the numerical part of the designation, the description of the material asset and the unit of measure.

The basic principle of codification is that material means, in accordance with the norms of HRVN STANAG 3150 and HRVN STANAG 3151, are assigned one codification designation if they meet the following criteria:

• have an identical or almost identical shape
• have the same method of use or installation location
• have the same functionality.

In the Ministry and the Armed Forces, the following CODIFICATION DESIGNATIONS are applied:

• National codification designation
• NATO codification designation
• Nomenclature designation

The NATIONAL CODIFICATION DESIGNATION is awarded to material resources that are in use in the Ministry and the Armed Forces and for which material records are kept. The national codification designation is not assigned to real estate in the Ministry and the Croatian Armed Forces. The national codification designation consists of the codification number and other codification data (name, description, unit of measure, reference, manufacturer’s designation, etc.).

NATO CODIFICATION DESIGNATION is assigned to material resources in accordance with the rules and procedures of the NATO codification system. The NATO codification designation is used in its unchanged form upon its acceptance, as a national codification designation, into the logistics information system and material records of the Ministry and the Croatian Armed Forces.

NOMENCLATURE DESIGNATION (pre-NATO designation) consists of a nomenclature number and other codification data (name, description and unit of measure) and is used for non-prospective material resources that are still in use in the Ministry and the Armed Forces until the completion of life cycle management and logistics and supply chain management of the material resources in question. This is a designation that was used before the introduction of a modern national codification system based on the NATO codification system.

Objava Croatian National Codification pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.

NCB Croatia, established in 2002, performs professional and administrative tasks related to the development and implementation of the national and NATO codification systems.

It is responsible for the national policy harmonisation and management of the NATO and national codification processes in the Ministry and the Croatian Armed Forces.

It represents the Ministry in the NATO, the European Union and other military codification committees and working bodies. It manages codification tools, supervises their application and cooperates with the organizational units of the Ministry and the Armed Forces on the development and implementation of the information system for material resources management.
NCB also cooperates in the education and training of employees of the Ministry and members of the Armed Forces in the field of codification.

NCB is responsible for the credible interpretation of regulations in the field of the national and NATO codification system and answers to questions related to the aforementioned areas. All requests, questions and proposals, for the sake of credibility and transparency in monitoring codification procedures, must be submitted to the official NCB email address: ncbcr@morh.hr. All requests and questions will be answered in accordance with NATO standards.

Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Croatia
National Codification Bureau
Ulica Marka Stančića 6
10000 Zagreb
ncbcr@morh.hr

Objava National Codification Bureau pojavila se prvi puta na MORH.