[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 5269]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2362]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Census Bureau


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 April 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 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 G. Daniel Sansbury, Census Bureau, FOB 4 Room 
2232, Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4834 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Manufacturers' Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) survey 
requests data from domestic manufacturers on form M-3(SD), which will 
be 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 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 have decreased from 24,000 
to 13,860 due to a decrease in the number of respondents.

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 cooperative respondents who have not 
reported 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.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .33 hour.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 13,860.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $302,425.
    Respondent's Obligation: Voluntary.
    Legal Authority: Title 13, United States Code, 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: January 28, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-2362 Filed 1-31-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-70-P