[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 38 (Wednesday, February 26, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8685-8686]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4697]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE I (Voluntary and 
Mandatory Submissions)

ACTION: Proposed collection; 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 April 28, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th Street 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:

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              Contact                      Industries               Telephone                  Address          
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Michael Zampogna...................  Manufactured            (301) 457-4810........  Bureau of Census,          
                                      nondurable products.                            Manufacturing &           
                                                                                      Construction Division,    
                                                                                      Room 2212, Building 4,    
                                                                                      Washington, DC 20233.     
Kenneth Hansen.....................  Manufactured durable    (301) 457-4755........  Bureau of Census,          
                                      products.                                       Manufacturing &           
                                                                                      Construction Division,    
                                                                                      Room 2207, Building 4,    
                                                                                      Washington, DC 20233.     
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SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau conducts a series of monthly, quarterly, and 
annual surveys as part of the Current Industrial Reports (CIR) program. 
The CIR deal mainly with the quantity and value of shipments of 
particular products and occasionally with data on production and 
inventories; unfilled orders, receipts, stocks and consumption; and 
comparative data on domestic production, exports, and imports of the 
products they cover. These surveys provide continuing and timely 
national statistical data on manufacturing. The results of these 
surveys are used extensively by individual firms, trade associations, 
and market analysts in planning or recommending marketing and 
legislative strategies.
    The CIR program includes both mandatory and voluntary surveys.

[[Page 8686]]

Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are conducted on a 
voluntary basis. Those companies that choose not to respond to the 
voluntary surveys are required to submit a mandatory annual 
counterpart. The annual counterpart collects annual data from those 
firms not participating in the more frequent collection.
    Due to the large number of surveys in the CIR program, for 
clearance purposes we group the surveys into three Waves. The mandatory 
and voluntary surveys in each Wave are separately submitted. Thus, a 
total of six clearances cover all of the surveys in the CIR program. 
One Wave is submitted for reclearance each year. This year the Census 
Bureau plans to submit mandatory and voluntary surveys of Wave I for 
clearance. The surveys in Wave I are as follows:

Mandatory Surveys

M2OH--Fats and Oils (Warehouse Stocks)
M20M--Fats and Oils (Consumers)
M20N--Fats and Oils (Producers)
MA28F--Paints and Allied Products
MA32C--Refractories
MA33A--Iron and Steel Foundries
MA33E--Nonferrous Casting
MA34K--Steel Drums and Pails
MA35A--Farm Machinery
MA35M--Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Equipment
MA35Q--Anti-Friction Bearings
MA36A--Switchgear, Relays, Etc.
MA36F--Major Household Appliances
MA36H--Motors and Generators
MA36K--Wiring Devices and Supplies
MA36P--Communication Equipment
MA37D--Aerospace(will be merged with M37G)
MA38B--Instruments and Related Products

Voluntary Surveys

M37G--Civil Aircraft and Engines (MA37D will be merged with M37G)
M37L--Truck Trailers
MA35N--Fluid Power Products
MQ22D--Consumption on the Woolen System
MQ28B--Fertilizer Materials
MQ32D--Clay Construction Products
MQ34E--Plumbing Fixtures
MQ36B--Electric Lamps (discontinued in 1994)
MQ36C--Fluorescent Lamp Ballasts

II. Method of Collection

    The Census Bureau will use mail out/mail back survey forms to 
collect data. We ask respondents to return monthly report forms within 
10 days, quarterly report forms within 15 days, and annual report forms 
within 30 days of the initial mailing. Telephone calls and/or letters 
encouraging participation will be mailed to respondents that have not 
responded by the designated time.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0392--Mandatory Surveys; 0607-0393--Voluntary 
Surveys and annual counterparts.
    Form Number: See table above.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses, Other for Profit, or Organizations.

                     Estimated Number of Respondents                    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
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Mandatory Surveys.............................................    11,429
Voluntary Surveys.............................................     1,735
                                                               ---------
    Total.....................................................    13,164
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    Estimated Time Per Response:

Mandatory Surveys--1.27 hrs
Voluntary Surveys--1.86 hrs

                   Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        
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Mandatory Surveys.............................................    14,493
Voluntary Surveys.............................................     3,233
                                                               ---------
    Total.....................................................    17,726
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    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost of the CIR program 
for fiscal year 1997 is $4.3 million.
    Respondent's Obligation: The CIR program includes both mandatory 
and voluntary surveys. Typically the monthly and quarterly surveys are 
conducted on a voluntary basis. Those companies that choose not to 
respond to the voluntary surveys are required to submit a mandatory 
annual counterpart. The annual counterpart collects annual data from 
those firms not participating in the more frequent collection.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 61, 131, 
182, 224, and 225.

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 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: February 20, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-4697 Filed 2-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P