[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 76 (Wednesday, April 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20944-20945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-9786]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census


Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

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 June 19, 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 [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Lee Wentela, Bureau of the Census, FOB #4 Room 2232, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913 and (301) 457-4832.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:   

I. Abstract

    The Census Bureau plans to submit the Manufacturers' Shipments, 
Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey to the Office of Management and 
Budget for review. The M3 requests data from domestic manufacturers on 
form M-3(SD). The survey is mailed at the end of each month. Data 
requested are shipments, new orders, unfilled orders, total inventory, 
materials and supplies, work-in-process, and finished goods. It is 
currently the only survey that provides broad-based monthly statistical 
data on the economic conditions in the domestic manufacturing sector.
    The M3 survey is designed to measure current industrial activity 
and to provide an indication of future production commitments. The 
value of

[[Page 20945]]

shipments measures the value of goods delivered during the month by 
domestic manufacturers. Estimates of new orders serve as an indicator 
of future production commitments and represent the current sales value 
of new orders received during the month, net of cancellations. 
Substantial accumulation or depletion of unfilled orders measures 
excess or deficient demand for manufactured products. The level of 
inventories, especially in relation to shipments, is frequently used to 
monitor the business cycle.
    The estimated total annual burden hours are increased from 20,600 
to 24,000 to reflect an increase in the survey panel. The conversion of 
the survey from the Standard Industrial Classification system to the 
North American Industry Classification System will result in new and 
reconfigured industry categories, which require a larger survey panel 
to ensure sufficient coverage in all industries.

II. Method of Collection

    Respondents submit data on form M-3(SD) via mail, facsimile 
machine, Touchtone Data Entry (TDE), Voice Recognition Entry (VRE), or 
via the Internet. Analysts call respondents who usually report, to 
obtain data in time for preparing the monthly estimates.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0607-0008.
    Form Number: M-3(SD).
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Businesses, large and small, or other for profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 6,000 monthly.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 24,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $436,800.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13 U.S.C., Sections 131 and 182.

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 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 also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 13, 2000.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 00-9786 Filed 4-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P