[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 112 (Tuesday, June 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39957-39958]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-14659]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; NIST Weights 
and Measures Survey

ACTION: Notice.

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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 the 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 
3504(c)(2)(A)).

[[Page 39958]]


DATES: Written comments on the proposed collection of information must 
be submitted on or before August 12, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments on the collection of information to 
Madeleine Clayton, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department 
of Commerce, Room 6608, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20230, or via the Internet at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests of additional information, 
for copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Henry Oppermann, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2600, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2600, Tel. (301) 975-5507, or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The NIST Weights and Measures Division (WMD) is part of Technology 
Services in Gaithersburg, MD. The WMD is the national technical 
resource on U.S. weights and measures standards, practices, and test 
procedures. Weights and measures regulatory control of the commercial 
measurement system is performed at the state and local government 
level. The study is to document the changes that have occurred over the 
past 10 years in state and local weights and measures enforcement 
programs in terms of funding, administration, and allocation of 
resources to their different regulatory activities. Additionally, 
approximately fifteen weights and measures directors will be 
interviewed to obtain information as to how the regulatory environment 
and their operations have changed over 10 years to identify trends. 
Jurisdictions will be asked to identify what they see as their most 
critical needs under the current environment and operation conditions 
of their programs. The changes in the number of businesses and devices 
regulated by weights and measures will be examined to assess how the 
nature of the regulated businesses has changed. Approximately ten 
representatives of companies that manufacturer scales, load cells, and 
meter manufacturers will be interviewed to identify how their markets 
and customer needs have changed, and how this has affected their views 
on national and international standards. The responses will help state 
and local weights and measures offices evaluate their programs. This 
information will be used to assess the impact of weights and measures 
enforcement activities, and set program directions and priorities for 
the NIST Weights and Measures Division.

II. Method of Collection

    Web forms will be the primary method to collect information on 
weights and measures resources, workloads, and distribution of 
resources. Paper forms as a backup data collection method for those who 
cannot access the web forms or prefer responding on paper. Interviews 
with selected weights and measures officials and industry 
representatives will result in the identification and assessment of 
national and international market trends, and trends in state and local 
budgets and program operations.

III. Data

    OMB Number: None.
    Form Number: None.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: State or local government, business or for-profit 
organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 90.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 6 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 540.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $0.

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.

    Dated: June 6, 2002.
Madeleine Clayton,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 02-14659 Filed 6-10-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P