[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 16, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7828-7829]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-3677]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 000207031-0031-01]

RIN 0607-XX55


Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) Survey 
Supplement: Unfilled Orders Benchmark Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of consideration.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is planning to 
initiate a supplement, the Unfilled Orders Benchmark survey, to the 
monthly Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders survey for 
1999. The data received from this supplement will provide the 
information necessary to benchmark the monthly estimates of unfilled 
orders in manufacturing. The unfilled orders series is an important 
indicator of economic activity. These data have significant application 
to the needs of the public and industry. They are not available from 
non-governmental or other governmental sources.

DATE: Written comments must be submitted on or before March 17, 2000.

ADDRESS: Direct all written comments to the Director, U.S. Census 
Bureau, Room 2049, Federal Building 3, Washington, DC 20233.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Wentela, Chief, Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories and Orders Branch, Manufacturing and 
Construction Division, on (301) 457-4832.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to conduct 
surveys necessary to furnish current data on subjects covered by the 
major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code, Sections 
182, 224, and 225. The Unfilled Orders Benchmark survey will provide 
continuing and timely national statistical data for the period between 
the economic censuses. The next Economic Census will occur in the year 
2002. Data collected in this survey will be within the general scope, 
type, and character of those inquiries covered in the Economic Census.
    This Unfilled Orders Benchmark survey is a supplement to the 
Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories and Orders survey and will 
request end-of-year unfilled orders and annual sales data for 1999. The 
survey will include a sample of about 10,000 companies classified in 
industries for which unfilled orders are normally maintained longer 
than one month. The survey will be mailed in spring 2000 and require 
responses within 45 days after receipt.
    The resulting unfilled orders estimates will be used to revise the 
levels currently being published for the monthly survey and will 
improve the accuracy of the data. The current estimates are based on a 
small sample and are subject to error.
    Beginning with the survey year 2001, we will publish the M3 Survey 
data using the new North American Industry Classification System 
(NAICS). The data collected in this survey will help establish new 
levels of unfilled orders for NAICS industries. The structure of NAICS 
was developed in a series of meetings between the United States, 
Canada, and Mexico in the early to middle 1990s. NAICS recognizes the 
rapid changes in both the United States and world economies by 
providing a means to classify new and emerging industries. The system 
was constructed on a production-oriented, or supply-based, conceptual 
framework.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA), unless that collection of 
information displays a current valid Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) control number. In accordance with the PRA, 44 U.S.C., Chapter 
35, we will submit the survey to OMB for approval. We will furnish 
report forms to organizations included in the survey, and additional 
copies are

[[Page 7829]]

available on written request to the Director, U.S. Census Bureau (see 
ADDRESS section).

    Dated: February 10, 2000.
Kenneth Prewitt,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 00-3677 Filed 2-15-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P