The following paragraph discusses the breakdown of an NSN. Figure 3-2 is an example of an NSN. Federal Supply Classification The Federal Supply Classification (FSC) is a four-digit number that occupies the first part of an NSN. The Defense Logistics Agency Cataloging Handbook H2 (in book form) lists the groups and classes in use today. The DLSC, Battle Creek, Michigan, is responsible for managing this handbook. National Codification Bureau Code The National Codification Bureau (NCB) code is a two-digit code that occupies the fifth and sixth position of a NATO stock number. This code identities the NATO country that originally cataloged the item of supply. The NCB codes currently assigned are listed in Afloat Supply Procedures, NAVSUP P-485. The NSN assigned by United States uses NCB codes “00” and “01.” The different NCB codes may be assigned to different materials, but they are identified by the same NIINs. For example, material assigned with NIIN 00-005-9895 is a terminal block and 01-005-9895 is a panel assembly. It is very important that you use the last seven digits of the NSN to identify the required material. National Item Identification Number The national item identification number (NIIN) is a 9-digit number that occupies the 5th through the 13th position of an NSN In the example given in figure 3-2, the “00-1234567” is the NIIN. Although part of the NSN, NIINs are used independently for material identification. Figure 3-2.-Example of an NSN. OTHER CODES USED WITH THE NSN In addition to the 13-digit NSN, the Navy uses other codes for material identification. These codes may be prefixes or suffixes to the NSN. The following paragraphs describe these codes. Cognizant Symbol This symbol consist of a two-character code that identifies the stores account and cognizant manager of an item. Refer to Navy Supply Systems Command Manual, volume 2, Supply Ashore; Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures (MILSTRIP), and Military Standard Transaction Reporting and Accounting Procedures (MILSTRAP), NAVSUP P-437; and Afloat Supply Procedures, NAVSUP P-485. The cognizant symbols frequently encountered by the AKs are listed in table 3-2. To understand cognizant symbols, you must understand the following terms: . Stores Account: This is an account reflecting the value of material, supplies, and similar property on hand. The accounts used by the AKs are the Appropriation Stores Account (APA) and the Navy Stock Account (NSA). . Appropriations Purchase Account (APA): This account is for all stock material paid for out of appropriations.   This material is not charged to the user’s operating funds. If the material was bought for a purpose other than its original appropriation, the material is chargeable to the user’s fund. . Navy Stock Account (NSA): The NSA consist of all material paid from the Defense Business Operating Fund (DBOF). NSA material is always charged to the user’s allotment, operating budget, or operating target funds. l Inventory manager:    This is an organizational unit or activity within the Department of Defense. The inventory manager has the primary responsibility for controlling the functions of cataloging, identification, determination of requirements, procurement, inspection, storage, and distribution of categories of material. . Technical responsibility: This is the systems command or office that determines the technical characteristics of equipment. For example, the electronics equipment characteristics include items such 3-6