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The NATO Codification System (NCS) is a Standardization Agreement approach to identify, classify, and number items of supply. This applies to repetitively used and stocked items (e.g., repair parts, equipment, food, 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.[1] 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 such as supply, purchasing, maintenance, warehousing, transportation, planning, etc. Further, it allows different organizations and countries to cooperate in providing logistics support to military, disaster relief, peacekeeping, and other operations.