Testing and certification system

For defense manufacturers and dual-use technology developers, the path from prototype to purchase is governed by a strict system of international standards and a network of specialized institutions.

European regulatory framework for defence procurement

The European defence market operates under four frameworks that set mandatory technical requirements for EU defence procurement:

• United States Military Standards (MIL-STD). They provide uniform engineering and technical requirements for equipment and processes to ensure reliability and compatibility. MIL-STD-810 is a standard for durability against environmental factors (shock, vibration, extreme temperatures).
• NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAGs). These agreements ensure interoperability, allowing armed forces to use compatible equipment and follow common procedures. For example, STANAG 4569 defines levels of protection for armored vehicles against ballistic threats and mines.
• Allied Ammunition Publications (AOP). These provide technical guidance on high-level requirements relating to ammunition, explosives, and weapons safety.
• US National Institute of Justice (NIJ). These standards act as a global benchmark for personal protective equipment, establishing levels of protection for body armor, helmets, and ballistic shields.

Additionally, ISO certifications (e.g. ISO 9001 or 27001) are often required to ensure a supplier's contractual delivery capabilities.

NATO codification: technical passport

The NATO Stock Number (NSN) is a technical passport for any item entering the Alliance's logistics chain. It is a crucial prerequisite for ensuring market visibility and long-term supply chain integration.

 The NATO Commercial and Governmental Entity (NCAGE) code is a mandatory first step for all manufacturers:

• Apply early. Manufacturers should not wait until they win a bid to obtain an NCAGE code. It is free and serves as a unique supplier ID, signaling to procurement officials that the company is NATO-ready.
• Marketing tool. The NCAGE code allows a company to register with NSPA, providing visibility in the international defense market even before a specific product is codified.

When a product is assigned an NSN, it is officially included in the NATO Master Logistics Reference Catalogue (NMCRL):

• Global visibility. Participation in the NMCRL means that your product is visible to military authorities in all NATO member states and participating countries. It is a powerful marketing tool that eliminates mistrust of a new manufacturer and increases confidence with international buyers.
• Initiating public procurement: In many jurisdictions, such as Lithuania, the assignment of a NATO Stock Number (NSN) is initiated by a contract with the armed forces. Manufacturers should use their first national contract as a primary means of codifying the product, which subsequently facilitates participation in international tenders.

The NSN is only valid as long as the basic technical data is accurate:

• Mandatory updates. Manufacturers are legally and logistically obligated to inform the National Codification Bureau (MSNCB) of any changes to product parameters, materials, or manufacturer contact details.
• Preventing logistics errors. Failure to provide accurate data can result in the rejection of supplied goods during deployment (transfer). This can damage the manufacturer's reputation and limit opportunities to participate in future procurement tenders.

Access to the NATO procurement market: a process

Structured six-step process:

1. Obtaining NCAGE and NSN codes. Critical to system visibility. The NCAGE code is a unique five-character identifier required for registration with the NSPA. The NATO Stock Number (NSN) is a unique 13-digit code assigned to military assets to ensure uniform identification across the Alliance.
2. Registration in the NSPA source file. Once the NCAGE and NSN codes are active, the company must register in the NSPA central supplier database via the e-portal. At this stage, NSPA contacts the national Ministry of Defense to verify the company's reliability, financial condition, and legal suitability.
3. Implementation of AQAP standards. Manufacturers must align their quality management system (QMS) with NATO Allies' quality assurance publications (AQAP 2000 series). Compliance with AQAP 2110 for design and manufacturing is generally a prerequisite for technical qualification.
4. Testing and Certification: The physical product is tested against specific military requirements. All testing must be performed by laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 to ensure the validity of the purchase results.
5. Bidding and Technical Evaluation. Bids and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) are available through an e-portal that lists mandatory standards such as STANAG or MIL-STD. NSPA experts conduct a rigorous review of submitted documents; Products that do not meet any of the mandatory technical specifications are disqualified.
6. Commercial evaluation and contract signing. The price is only assessed once the product has been confirmed to meet the technical requirements. Most tenders follow the principle of the lowest-cost tender (the cheapest tender that meets all the standards is selected), although some complex projects use the best value (price-quality ratio) approach.

Practical aspects of implementation and risk mitigation:

• Verify accreditation validity. Before selecting a facility, manufacturers should ensure that the service provider’s accreditation to specific defense standards (e.g., MIL-STD-810H or STANAG 4569) is valid. It is important to confirm that the facility’s active service area meets the specific technical requirements of the prototype.
• Reducing cross-border regulatory barriers. The international transit of military-grade prototypes is subject to strict export control systems and specialized “Transport of Military Goods” licensing. In order to shorten administrative deadlines and reduce transit-related risks, strategic priority should be given to local manufacturing capacities or established centers in adjacent jurisdictions (for example, Baltic manufacturers using Polish infrastructure).
• Research and Development (R&D) and procurement. In the early stages of development, private testing laboratories can be used for feedback and flexibility. However, in the final stages of procurement, manufacturers must ensure that testing is carried out by a notified body or a military technical centre whose certification is recognised by the contracting authority.
• Optimization through dual-use synergies. For dual-use technologies, manufacturers should prioritize devices that can perform both civil (CE/ISO) and military (MIL-STD) testing simultaneously. This integrated approach is recommended to optimize certification timelines and reduce cumulative costs.