The National Codification Bureau Finland

National Codification Bureau Finland is the national authority in charge of codification of the Finnish Defence Forces’ materiel.

National Codification Bureau Finland (NCB) manages the codification of the Defence Forces’ (FDF) materiel under the supervision of the Defence Command Logistics Division. The Bureau is a part of the Joint Systems Centre. The NCB has the responsibility over the codification data of FDF materiel from acquisition to the end of its life cycle.

NATO Codification System

The purpose of the NATO Codification System (NCS) is to codify materiel using a jointly agreed set of rules so that materiel can be identified and exchanged internationally using NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs). Finland has a right and an responsibility to codify materiel from Finnish industry into the NATO Codification System, and also to use the data for national logistical needs.

NSNs are available only to items that are in use by the armed forces of any nation within the NCS (60+ nations). When an item is in use in the FDF NSNs are codified based on request either from within FDF or from the company that hold the rights for the item in question. If the item is used in foreign forces only, then it is the company’s responsibility to contact their counterparts in that nation in order to have them initiate NSN codification process there.

The NCB provides codification training to personnel both in defence administration and domestic industry. The Bureau provides support nationally in matters related to the NCS and establishes NCAGEs for Finnish entities.

NATO Codification System, NCS on NATO website www.nato.int/codification.

NATO Master Catalogue of Reference for Logistics (NMCRL)

NMCRL is NCS’s database for NSNs and NCAGEs from all nations in the system. It represents global visibility in terms of procurement processes for armed forces and other entities in NATO and partner nations.

NMCRL is a licensed database, more information at https://eportal.nspa.nato.int/ac135/nmcrl/

NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) 

Information related to NSPA’s procurements is available at www.nspa.nato.int/business/procurement
Ministry of Defence has published a guide to NATO procurement at https://defmin.fi/julkaisut/oppaat/naton-hankintoihin-osallistuminen-opas (Finnish only).