How to NATO standards, what does the NSN number mean and why is AQAP not just another certification? We addressed these and many other questions on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, when we held a training session on defense standardization, codification, and government quality assurance at the GZS Business Oasis. Due to high interest, this was the second time we conducted the session.

Experts from the Ministry of Defence’s Logistics Directorate presented firsthand to our members the procedures that any company with ambitions in the defence market needs to know.

What we have learned

🔹 Defence standardization in NATO and the EU. Joint operations require capabilities; capabilities require interoperability; and interoperability requires standards. Participants learned how STANAGs and STANRECs are developed and how Slovenia engages in NATO standardization processes. We also presented the European EDSTAR system and its expert groups, for which the EDA is specifically inviting industry experts to participate by 2027. Priority areas include artificial intelligence, autonomous ground systems, camouflage, military clothing, power supply, and automatic identification technologies.

🔹 Accessibility of standards. Participants saw firsthand how to locate a standard within NATO’s NSO portal (NSDD collection), review the results, and distinguish between public and restricted content. The key takeaway is that companies should address standardization requirements as early as possible during product development, rather than waiting until the bid submission stage.

🔹 Codification of Slovenian products. Within the NATO Codification System, each product is assigned a 13-digit NSN (NATO Stock Number). This uniquely identifies the item within Allied logistics systems, thereby opening the door to international supply chains. We presented the role of the National Codification Bureau and practical examples of the codification of Slovenian products.

🔹 AQAP and Government Quality Assurance (GQA). Participants learned how AQAP-2110 builds upon the ISO 9001 system by incorporating NATO requirements for quality planning, risk management, and the supply chain. We also clarified why certification and compliance with contractual requirements are two distinct matters. For companies, this translates to better preparedness for defense contracts and greater credibility with foreign clients.

Standards are not an obstacle, but an opportunity.

OUnlike civilian standards, defense standards are free of charge, though not all are publicly available. It is therefore useful to know where and how to obtain them. Companies that are familiar with these standards and adhere to them from the outset find it easier to enter equipment procurement projects, development projects, and international partnerships. They can also actively help shape new standards.

We would like to thank the lecturers from the Ministry of Defence for the excellently prepared content, and the participants for their interesting questions and the exchange of experiences.

📩 Useful contacts for businesses:

• Obtaining standards: standard@mors.si
• Government Quality Assurance: gqa@mors.si
• NATO Standardization Office: nso.nato.int
• European Defence Standards Reference System EDSTAR: edstar.eda.europa.eu