[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 20 (Friday, January 30, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4487-4488]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1979]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of the Census

[Docket Number 030829216-4023-02]
RIN 0607-AA40


Annual Trade Survey

AGENCY: Bureau of the Census, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census (Census Bureau) is expanding the 2003 
Annual Trade Survey (ATS) to include manufacturers' sales branches and 
offices (MSBO). The Census Bureau makes this expansion at the request 
of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The BEA considers this 
information vital to its accurate measurement of sales and inventories 
for wholesale trade. These data are important inputs to BEA's 
preparation of National Income and Product accounts and its annual 
input-output tables.

DATES: The Census Bureau adopts the expanded ATS as of January 30, 
2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Trimble, Chief, Annual Trade and 
Special Projects Branch, Service Sector Statistics Division, at (301) 
763-7223 or by e-mail at John [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Census Bureau is authorized to take 
surveys necessary to furnish current data on the subjects covered by 
the major censuses authorized by Title 13, United States Code (U.S.C.), 
sections 182, 224, and 225. The expanded ATS will provide continuing 
and timely national statistical data on MSBO for the period between the 
five year economic censuses. These data ensure a sound statistical 
basis for the formation of policy by various government agencies. They 
also apply to a variety of public and business needs. These data are 
not available publicly on a timely basis from nongovernmental or other 
governmental sources.
    On September 15, 2003 (68 FR 53959), the Census Bureau published in 
the Federal Register a notice and request for comment on the expansion 
of the ATS. We did not receive any comments on that notice. 
Accordingly, the Census Bureau is adopting without change, its proposal 
to include manufacturers' sales and offices in the 2003 Annual Trade 
Survey.
    The previous ATS collected data only for merchant wholesalers. This 
new, expanded survey includes a selected sample of firms and operating 
establishments primarily selling goods that they manufacture in the 
United States. These data will be a vital source for accurately 
measuring sales, inventories, and operating expenses for wholesale 
trade. The BEA has made repeated requests for this information. The 
expanded ATS covers approximately 90 percent of sales from the 
wholesale sector and over 99 percent of its inventories compared to 
about 58 percent of sales and 85 percent of inventories in the previous 
ATS sample.
    Beginning with the survey year 2003, the goal is to maximize 
industry coverage within our available resources. In order to establish 
reporting arrangements and reduce respondent burden, we will mail 
report forms to a sample of firms on a company basis and contact them 
in person, as well as by phone and mail. We will mail a survey 
introduction letter followed by report forms to the firms covered by 
this survey and require the report forms to be returned thirty days 
after receipt. The report forms will request similar data items, but 
different forms are needed to accommodate both merchant wholesale and 
MSBO companies, as well as both large and small firms. Later, as 
necessary, additional mail follow-ups and telephone follow-ups will be 
conducted.
    The primary users of these data will be federal, state, and local 
government agencies, including the Census Bureau, BEA, and 
Environmental Protection Agency. Other users will include business 
firms, academics, trade associations, and research and consulting 
organizations.

Rulemaking Requirements

Executive Order 12866

    This rule has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Chief Counsel for Regulation of the Department of Commerce 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that this rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The factual basis for 
this certification was published in the proposed rule. No comments were 
received regarding the economic impact of this rule. As a result, no 
final regulatory flexibility analysis was prepared.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    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 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. 3501 et 
seq.), OMB approved on January 9, 2004, with control number 0607-0195, 
the collection of all information associated with this rule. We 
estimate the number of additional respondents to be 1,600 and estimate 
an additional 713 annual burden hours with this expanded data 
collection. Also, we

[[Page 4488]]

estimate that the time for the additional responses associated with 
this data collection will be approximately 27 minutes. We will furnish 
report forms to organizations included in the survey, and additional 
copies will be available on written request to the Director, U.S. 
Census Bureau, Washington, DC 20233-0101.

    Dated: January 26, 2004.
Charles Louis Kincannon,
Director, Bureau of the Census.
[FR Doc. 04-1979 Filed 1-29-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P