NATIONAL STOCK NUMBER (NSN) All items of supply that are centrally managed or bought for system stock are required to have a National Stock Number (NSN) assigned to them. National Stock Numbers are used in all supply management functions and publications that mention the items. The NSN is a 13-digit number assigned by Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) to identify an item of material in the supply distribution system. The following paragraph discusses the breakdown of an NSN. Figure 7-19 is an example of an NSN. Federal Supply Classification (FSC) 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. National Codification Bureau (NCB) Code The National Codification Bureau (NCB) code is a two-digit code that occupies the fifth and sixth position of  a  NATO  stock  number.  These  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.” National Item Identification Number (NIIN) The  National  Item  Identification  Number  (NIIN) consists  of  a  two  digit  National  Codification  Bureau (NCB) code and seven digits which in conjunction with the NCB code, uniquely identify each NSN item in the federal  supply  distribution  system.  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.  Except  for identification  list,  most  federal  supply  catalogs  are arranged in NIIN order. 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 (COG) Symbol The   cognizant   (COG)   symbol   consists   of   a two-character  code  that  identifies  the  stores  account and  cognizant  inventory  manager  of  an  item.  The cognizant symbols are listed in table 7-4. 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   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 ought for a purpose   other   than   its   original   appropriation,   the material is chargeable to the user’s fund. Navy Stock Account (NSA): The NSA consists 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. 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  as  circuitry  and  the  types  and  arrangement  of components. 7-31 1710 00 1234567 Federal    Supply    Classification Code Number National    Codification    Bureau Code National   Item   Identification Number Figure 7-19.—Example of an NSN.