[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66876-66877]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-31005]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


Current Industrial Reports Surveys--WAVE I (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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 31, 
2000.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 (or via 
the Internet at LE[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to: Judy Dodds, Assistant Chief for Census and 
Related Programs, (301) 457-4587, Census Bureau, Manufacturing and 
Construction Division, Room 2101, Building #4, Washington, DC 20233.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 66877]]

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 M37L 
under the old SIC system converted to M336L 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 I 
for clearance. The surveys in Wave I are:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Mandatory surveys                    Voluntary surveys
------------------------------------------------------------------------
M311H--Fats and Oils (Warehouse).......  M336L--Truck Trailers*
M311M--Fats and Oils (Consumers).......  MQ325B--Inorganic Fertilizer
                                          Materials and Related Products
M311N--Fats and Oils (Producers).......  MQ327D--Clay Construction
                                          Products*
MA325F--Paints and Allied Products.....  MQ322E--Plumbing Fixtures*
MA327C--Refractories
MA331A--Iron and Steel Castings
MA331B--Steel Mill Products
MA331E--Nonferrous Castings
MA332K--Steel Shipping Drums and Pads
MA333A--Farm Machinery and Lawn and
 Garden Equipment
MA333M--Refrigeration, Air Conditioning
 & Warm Air Equipment
MA332Q--Antifriction Bearings
MA334R--Computers & Office & Accounting
 Machines
MA335A--Switchgear, Switchboard
 Apparatus Relays, & Industrial
 Controls
MA335F--Major Household Appliances
MA335H--Motors and Generators
MA335K--Wiring Devices and Supplies
MA334B--Selected Instrument & Related
 Products
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*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: 0607-0392--Mandatory Surveys. 0607-0393--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--13,829. 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--2,991. Total--16,820.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Mandatory Surveys--1.26 hrs. avg. 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--2.22 hrs. avg.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden: Mandatory Surveys--13,032 hours. 
Voluntary & Annual Counterparts Surveys--1,877 hours. Total--14,909 
hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: The estimated cost to respondents for 
all the CIR reports in Wave I for fiscal year 2001 is $197,395.

    Respondent's Obligation: The CIR program includes both mandatory 
and voluntary surveys.

    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, Sections 61, 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: November 23, 1999.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-31005 Filed 11-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P