[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 98 (Monday, May 20, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25188-25189]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12522]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

1997 Economic Censuses Refile Classification Survey

ACTION: Proposed Agency Information Collection Activity; Comment 
Request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 19, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to William Bostic, Bureau of the Census, Room 2641, 
Building 3, Washington, DC 20233-6100, and 301-457-2672 or email at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector of timely, relevant 
and quality data about the people and economy of the United States. 
Economic data are the Census Bureau's primary program commitment during 
non-decennial census years. The economic census, conducted under 
authority of Title 13 U.S.C., is the primary source of facts about the 
structure and functioning of the Nation's economy and features unique 
industry and geographic detail. Economic census statistics serve as 
part of the framework for the national accounts and provide essential 
information for government, business and the general public.
    The 1997 Economic Census will cover virtually every sector of the 
U.S. economy. The 1987 Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system 
is being replaced by the new 1997 North American Industry 
Classification System (NAICS). The Census Bureau is implementing the 
new NAICS for the 1997 Economic Censuses. The change to NAICS will 
require contacting businesses of selected sectors to collect 
classification information to update the 1997 Economic Censuses mailing 
lists. The non-goods producing sector which

[[Page 25189]]

include retail trade, wholesale trade, business services, 
transportation and other service related industries are the primary 
areas of the economy where the Census Bureau plans to collect the new 
NAICS information.
    The classification information collected from businesses will be 
used to update the Census Bureau's mailing lists to ensure respondents 
will receive the correct 1997 Economic Census form. The collection of 
this new NAICS information will greatly reduce processing costs and 
ease reporting burden for the 1997 Economic Censuses data collection. 
The Census Bureau is not requesting any economic data in this 
collection.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will select establishments to receive this survey 
from the Census Bureau's Standard Statistical Establishment List. Short 
form questionnaires are designed for respondents to select the industry 
activity that best describes the establishment's business. The Census 
Bureau's mail list will include single business establishments and 
companies with multiple establishments. To be eligible for selection, 
an establishment must satisfy the following conditions: (1) the current 
SIC is affected by the NAICS implementation or the current SIC is only 
coded to the 2 or 3 digit level; and (2) the establishment is above the 
mail cutoffs planned for the 1997 Economic Census.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: NC-9922.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses or Other for Profit Institutions, Non-
profit Institutions, Small Businesses or Organizations, and State or 
Local Governments.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 800,000.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 66,667 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to the government for this 
work is included in the total cost of the 1997 Economic Census, 
estimated to be $218 million.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record. 
    Dated: May 14, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-12522 Filed 5-17-96; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P