Q&A Codification

Q: What is the codification of weapons and military equipment and other material assets for the needs of the Ministry of Defense and the Croatian Armed Forces?

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.