[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 242 (Tuesday, December 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76333-76334]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-29734]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

U.S. Census Bureau


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories, and Orders (M3) Survey

AGENCY: U.S. Census Bureau.

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 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995,

[[Page 76334]]

Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: To ensure consideration, written comments must be submitted on 
or before February 17, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 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(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Chris Savage, U.S. Census Bureau, Manufacturing 
and Construction Division, 4600 Silver Hill Rd., Room 7K071, 
Washington, DC 20233-6913, (301) 763-4834 or via the Internet at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Census Bureau plans to request an extension of the current 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance of the Manufacturers' 
Shipments, Inventories and Orders (M3) survey. 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.
    We do not plan any changes to the M-3 (SD) form. The estimated 
total annual burden hours have increased from 16,800 to 17,200 due to 
an increase 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), or via the Internet. Analysts call 
respondents who usually report, to obtain data in time for preparing 
the monthly estimates.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0607-0008.
    Form Number: M-3 (SD).
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 4,300.
    Estimated Time per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $424,324.
    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: December 10, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-29734 Filed 12-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-07-P