[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 98 (Friday, May 19, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31930-31931]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-12667]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Bureau of Labor Statistics


Proposed Collection; Comment Request

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Labor, as part of its continuing effort to 
reduce paperwork and respondent burden, conducts a pre-clearance 
consultation program to provide the general public and Federal agencies 
with an opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing 
collections of information in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (PRA95) [44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)]. This program helps to 
ensure that requested data can be provided in the desired format, 
reporting burden (time and financial resources) is minimized, 
collection instruments are clearly understood, and the impact of 
collection requirements on respondents can be properly assessed. The 
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is soliciting comments concerning the 
proposed revision of the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) forms. A copy of 
the proposed information collection request (ICR) can be obtained by 
contacting the individual listed below in the addressee section of this 
notice.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted to the office listed in the 
addressee section below on or before July 18, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Send comments to Sytrina D. Toon, BLS Clearance Officer, 
Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Room 3255, 
2 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20212, telephone number 
202-691-7628 (this is not a toll free number).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sytrina D. Toon, BLS Clearance 
Officer, telephone number 202-691-7628. (See ADDRESSES section.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system was replaced by 
the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) in 1997 as 
the standard for industrial classification. As a result of this change, 
the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) converted its data from an SIC-
basis to a NAICS-basis over a three-year period. This included 
converting SIC codes for business establishments on the Bureau's 
sampling frame to 1997 NAICS codes. Forms were designed to gather 
information necessary for converting

[[Page 31931]]

SIC codes to NAICS codes from respondents. A revision of NAICS to be 
implemented in 2002 will affect industries in mining, construction, 
manufacturing, wholesale trade, retail trade, and Internet services. 
These previously approved ARS forms will be used to convert SIC codes 
to the new 2002 NAICS codes.

II. Desired Focus of Comments

    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is particularly interested in 
comments which:
     Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
     Evaluate the accuracy of agency's estimate of the burden 
of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of 
the methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technical collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submissions of responses.

III. Current Action

    The forms are the Annual Refiling Survey (ARS) forms that the BLS 
currently uses to gather industrial and geographical data on business 
establishments. They are specifically designed to gather information 
necessary to convert SIC codes to NAICS codes. This is a revision of 
the previously approved ARS forms to implement the NAICS 2002 revision.
    Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
    Agency: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
    Title: Annual Refiling Survey.
    OMB Number: 1220-0032.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit; not-for-profit institutions; farms; Federal government; State, 
local, or tribal government.
    Total Respondents: 1,700,150.
    Frequency: Annually.
    Total Responses: 1,700,150.

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                                                                                         Average
                                                                             Total       time per     Estimated
              Form               Total responses        Frequency          responses     response   total burden
                                                                                         (hours)       (hours)
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3023-NVS.......................        1,573,500  Once.................     1,573,500         .083       130,601
3023-NVM.......................           15,650  Once.................        15,650          .75        11,738
3023-NCA.......................          111,000  Once.................       111,000         .167        18,537
3023-NAX.......................  ...............  Once.................  ............         .083  ............
                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals.....................        1,700,150  .....................     1,700,150  ...........       160,870
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    The BLS is not expected to use the 3023-NAX form in the NAICS 2002 
conversion, but its approval also is requested.
    Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0.
    Total Burden Cost (operating/maintenance): 0.
    Comments submitted in response to this noticed will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget 
approval of the information collection request; they also will become a 
matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 12th day of May 2000.
Karen A. Krein,
Acting Chief, Division of Management Systems, Bureau of Labor 
Statistics.
[FR Doc. 00-12667 Filed 5-18-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-24-M