[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 250 (Friday, December 27, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68225-68226]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-32889]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census


1997 Economic Censuses Classification Report; Proposed Agency 
Information Collection Activity; Comment Request

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 February 25, 
1997.

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

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau is the preeminent collector of timely, relevant 
and quality data about the people and the 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 Census Bureau will implement the new North American 
Industry Classification System (NAICS) in the 1997 Economic Census. The 
implementation of the NAICS as a replacement for the 1987 Standard 
Industrial Classification (SIC) system will require contacting 
businesses to collect classification information to update the 1997 
Economic Census mailing lists.
    Accurate and reliable industry and geographic codes are critical to 
the Bureau of Census statistical programs. New businesses are assigned 
industry classification by the Social Security Administration (SSA). 
However, many of these businesses in manufacturing and mining cannot be 
assigned detailed industry codes because insufficient information is 
provided on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form SS-4. In addition, many 
of these businesses when matched against the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
(BLS) classification system cannot be assigned a detailed 
classification code.
    In order to provide detailed manufacturing and mining industry data 
reflecting NAICS for the 1997 Economic Censuses and the Standard 
Statistical Establishment List (SSEL), these partially coded businesses 
must be assigned detailed classification codes.
    This data collection, Form NC-9926, is designed to obtain detailed 
classification information for the partially coded single-unit 
manufacturing and mining industries including changes from the SIC to 
NAICS and provide current information on physical locations for 
establishments below the mail cutoff.
    The failure to collect this classification information will have an 
adverse effect on the quality and usefulness of economic statistics and

[[Page 68226]]

severely hamper the Census Bureau's ability to implement NAICS in the 
1997 Economic Censuses.

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will select establishments to receive this survey 
from the Census Bureau's SSEL. The Census Bureau will mail the NC-9926 
to single-unit manufacturing and mining establishments to obtain needed 
four-digit industry codes and subindustry detail for small 
establishments in selected four-digit industries in the apparel area, 
Major Groups 22 and 23. In addition, this form will be mailed to small 
manufacturing and mining establishments which could not be assigned a 
classification code when matched against the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
classification system. The NC-9926 will contain a list of 6-digit codes 
and descriptions. Respondents are to select the activity which best 
describes their business by checking the box next to the activity 
listed or describe their principal business activity if no box can be 
checked.

III. Data

    OMB Number: Not Available.
    Form Number: NC-9926.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Small businesses or other small for profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 105,000.
    Estimated Total Per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,750.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The cost to government for this survey 
is included in the total cost of the 1997 Economic Census, estimated to 
be $218 million.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 USC, Sections 131 and 224.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the function of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's 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 will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 19, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-32889 Filed 12-26-96; 8:45 am]
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