[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 245 (Tuesday, December 22, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 70753-70754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-33769]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE III (Mandatory and 
Voluntary 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 22, 
1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
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: Kenneth Hansen, Chief of Manufactured Durables 
Branch, (301) 457-4755, Bureau of the Census, Manufacturing and 
Construction Division, Room 2207, Building #4, Washington, DC 20233 or: 
Robert Reinard, Acting Chief of Manufactured Nondurables Branch, (301) 
457-4637, Bureau of the Census, Manufacturing and Construction 
Division, Room 2208, Building #4, Washington, DC 20233.

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 surveys 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. 
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.
    In 1998, the Census Bureau converted the Current Industrial Reports 
(CIR) survey form names to reflect the switch from the old U.S. 
Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system to the new North 
American Industry Classification System (NAICS). For example, the M37G 
under the old SIC system will convert to M336G under the NAICS.
    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 III for 
clearance. The surveys in Wave III are as follows:

Mandatory Surveys

MQ313T--Broadwoven Fabrics (Gray)
MA315D--Gloves and Mittens

[[Page 70754]]

MA327E--Consumer, Scientific, Technical, and Industrial Glassware
MA333D--Construction Machinery
MA333F--Mining Machinery
MA333J--Selected Pollution Control Equipment
MA334P--Communication Equipment

Voluntary Surveys

 M336G--Civil Aicraft & Aircraft Engines
 MQ313D--Consumption on Woolen System and Worsted Combing
 These voluntary surveys have mandatory annual counterparts.

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: 0607-0476--Mandatory Surveys; 0607-0776--Voluntary & 
Annual Counterparts Surveys.
    Form Number: Set Chart Above.
    Type of Review: Regular Review.
    Affected Public: Businesses, Other for Profit, or Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: Mandatory Surveys--3,793; 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--913 Total--4,706.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Mandatory Surveys--.89 hrs. avg.; 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--1.64 hrs. avg.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: Mandatory Surveys--2,644 hours; 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--484 hours Total--3,128 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to respondents for 
all the CIR reports in Wave III for fiscal year 2000 is $41,415.
    Respondent's Obligation: The CIR program includes both mandatory 
and voluntary surveys.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 81, 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: December 16, 1998.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-33769 Filed 12-21-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P