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Definition

The U.S. Department of Defense uses National Supply Numbers (NSN's) to uniquely and permanently identify items that it purchases.

Additional Info

The NSN consists of a four-digit Federal Supply Class (FSC) code number plus a nine-digit National Item Identification Number (NIIN). For example, in NSN 1315-00-9356011:

• The FSC code is 1315, followed by:
• A two-digit National Codification Bureau (NCB) code ("00" or "01" indicates the United States), followed by:
• A seven-digit nonsignificant number.

Collectively, the last nine digits are designated as the NIIN. Here is another example, courtesy of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA); see the DLA link below under Further Reading for additional information:

The Federal Logistics Information System via the World Wide Web (WebFLIS) contains information on more than 16 million active and inactive supply items used by the US government and its NATO allies. However, this system is restricted to DoD business. They do offer a public version for download that is horridly inconvenient, but at least it's something.

The military is now permitting the use of UPC (Universal Product Code) bar codes that are found on most consumer goods. They have a database that cross-references UPC's to NSN's; see the first link below.

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SDS Relevance

NSN's are not required data on Safety Data Sheets. A manufacturer can put this information on an SDS if they wish, of course.

NSN's are similar in a sense to a CAS number which uniquely identifies a specific chemical substance, however an NSN identifies a specific product. The distinction is important because one product may contain several chemicals, each with its own CAS number. Likewise, a specific unique chemical has only one CAS number, but will have a different NSN for each manufacturer!

There are few good, freely accessible and comprehensive databases for NSN's. It is fairly difficult for a novice to locate a product's NSN or determine what a product is from the NSN. The links below are a good start.

Further Reading

• National Stock Number Search at the ISO Group.
• NIIN lookup at ASAP Distribution.
• NSNLookup.com.
• DLA uses National Stock Numbers to manage supplies efficiently throughout their life cycles and drive competition. has information on the origin of NSN and a whole lot more.
• National Stock Numbers (NSN/NIIN) Explained with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) History a YouTube video - note the comments list the sections so you can skip ahead if you like.

See also: CAS Number, EINECS number, NAICS, UN/NA number.

Additional definitions from Google and OneLook.

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