The Ministry of Defence standardizes packaging and labeling requirements for suppliers of gear and clothing assets: key changes

The Ministry of Defence of Ukraine has approved a new technical specification establishing clear requirements for the acceptance, packaging, and labeling of non-lethal assets for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  

This initiative aims to streamline logistical processes, reduce unloading times, and alleviate the burden on the logistics centers supplying the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Previously, packaging and labeling requirements were specified individually for each item. The new specification now applies uniformly to all gear and clothing assets, ensuring consistency.

“A modern army requires efficient logistics. Standardizing packaging and labeling requirements is a vital step toward systemic improvements in army supply chains. Clear standards simplify logistics, enhance oversight, and ensure rapid and accurate distribution of assets. We remain committed to focus on ensuring that each stage of supplying the army is optimized for efficiency and meets the actual needs of the military,” emphasized Glib Kanievskyi, Director of the Procurement Policy Department of the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine.

The specification was developed by the MoD’s Main Directorate of Logistics Support Development in collaboration with the DOT, the Main Directorate of Gear and Clothing Supplies for Non-Lethal Logistical Support under the Logistics Forces Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Joint Logistics Centers (JLCs), and experts in SAP implementation.

“In 2024, during visits to JLCs, we observed the distribution process for gear and clothing assets for the AFU. Most of the deliveries arrived in sacks that were excessively heavy for the centers' personnel, many of whom are service members recovering from wounds. Manual unloading of such sacks not only slowed operations but also placed additional strain on the personnel. Furthermore, small-scale labeling complicated asset identification, and bulk storage consumed excessive space. To expedite and simplify the unloading process, we worked with relevant Ministry of Defence structures to develop this new technical specification for suppliers,” said Viktoriia Vynohradova, Director of the Property Programme at the State Operator for Non-Lethal Acquisition (DOT).

The updated requirements are designed to streamline the unloading process, a change particularly important for service members with injuries or wounds. 

In particular, the new rules pertain to:

• Palletized deliveries: Starting with 2025 contracts, the primary requirement is the delivery of gear and clothing assets on pallets instead of sacks. Standard pallets measuring 1200×800×145 mm (Euro pallet) or 1200×1000×145 mm (American pallet) will be utilized.
• QR Code implementation: To enable rapid and accurate identification of each gear and clothing item, QR code labeling has been introduced, incorporating the nomenclature number. A transitional period for suppliers is in effect until the end of March to ensure the proper generation of QR codes, with the DOT providing relevant guidance. 

In March, the DOT plans to visit all Joint Logistics Centers across Ukraine to assess the effectiveness of the new requirements. Preliminary results indicate significant improvements in the delivery and labeling processes. The Ministry of Defence and the DOT remain open to feedback and continue to analyze input from JLCs and suppliers to further refine the system and update the technical specification as needed.